DOHA, 13 July 2004 — The role of the Arab media came under the spotlight at a forum in Qatar yesterday organized by Al-Jazeera, the satellite television channel that has helped change media coverage in the Arab world.
Under the theme, “Changing Media Perceptions: Professionalism and Cultural Diversity”, the debate focused on coverage of recent world events by the media, including Al-Jazeera.
The Qatar-based channel, which first attracted international attention through its coverage of the US war in Afghanistan and for broadcasting taped statements of Osama Bin Laden, has drawn criticism from US officials for its coverage of Iraq.
The station, along with its Dubai-based rival Al-Arabiya, are also known for broadcasting statements and videotapes from militant groups in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, displaying their foreign hostages and threatening their execution.
“The arrival of Al-Jazeera and other Arab satellite channels was extremely important, particularly post Sept. 11 and in the coverage of the war in Iraq,” said AFP editor in chief Eric Wishart.
“There is no monopoly when it comes to the truth,” he said. “Do we have to show the ugly face of war? Yes, this is part of our responsibility as a news organization.
“But regarding the recent videos of hostages and their executions, we have to ask where we draw the line between legitimate news coverage for the public interest, and being manipulated as a propaganda tool,” Wishart said.
Bertrand Picquerie, president of the World Editors Forum, said Al-Jazeera plays a part in building the democratic process in the region, but that it was “premature” to evaluate the station, which was only created eight years ago.
Al-Jazeera correspondent Jamil Azer argued that “the West, which dominated the media for a long time, cannot accept the appearance of an influential media” in the Arab world.
Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya are popular among Arab viewers.
