JEDDAH, 7 March 2004 — The new US-founded Arabic-language television network Al-Hurra has failed to capture the attention of viewers, and many think it will have an uphill struggle convincing them. Ironically, it is its very mission that turns audiences off.

Launched on Feb. 14 to win the hearts and minds of Arab audiences for US policy in the Middle East, the station, whose name means “the free”, is showing disappointing ratings as many prefer to get their news elsewhere.

Hassan Al-Naser, a 22-year-old university student, said Al-Hurra is the last place he would turn for information.

“I haven’t watched it and I don’t care what they show. We all know the main aim behind this channel is to polish the image of the United States in the region,” he said.

It is because of this that the channel will have a tough time persuading Arab viewers to watch it, he believes.

“If the US policy in the region were acceptable, they would not have to improve their image in this way. The US government has been a great supporter of Israel, which killed thousands of Palestinians, and is now occupying Iraq — most people in the region won’t forget that.”

Those who do watch the channel are unconvinced. Hamid Al-Twairqi, a 37-year-old teacher, has been watching the new network regularly. He said Al-Hurra has not been fair in covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

“They have not been fair in showing how the Israeli soldiers destroy the houses of Palestinians and the killing of innocent children and women. So far, they have no credibility in the region and people still turn to Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya to get the facts,” he added.

He told Arab News that most of his friends feel Al-Hurra is short on credibility and long on arrogance.

Muhammad Al-Samman does not believe Al-Hurra will be able to change the attitude of the Arabs toward the US.

“I think their attempt to influence Arab public opinion in favor of the US will fail because people are fed up with what they see as the worst-ever American policy in the region,” he said.

He said the best way to change perceptions in the region would be for the US to change its policy.