Apr 10 2006
Notes on Hugh Miles’ “Al Jazeera”
Book: “Al Jazeera : How Arab TV News Challenges America” by Hugh Miles
A very insightful, journalistic account of the news organization. The author represents many serious-minded but idealistic observers of the Middle East.
On US hypocracy:
… the American administration took no stps to prevent US networks transmitting AJ footages, less than 3 weeks after it had expressly called for a ban on all live, unedited … messages issued by bin Laden (remember the coded message fear?)
Pathology of Arab populace:
Blair’s appearance on AJ. Arabs “tuned in because he was the British Prime Minister”, not because they were interested in what he had to say (the power of authority over the mass).
“The President’s … message … and bin Laden’s Manichean vision, … gave the reader the choice” (both messages were messianic, either/or cases)
(This book contains some financial data, e.g. how much funding, who funded, or footage of bin Laden sold for $20K/minute
“The exact nature of AJ relationship with Qatar certainly merits examination”
AJ staff defends AJ relation to Qatar as BBC and NPR)
AJ’s first interview of Ariel Sharon: demonstrations to urge AJ cancellation; Israeli obstructions and the final cancellation.
‘It was thgen I realized the problem we have in this region’ AJ manager told the author, ‘These two nations are urn by two old men’ (e.g. Sharon told him the benefit of onions; Arafat lectured him on honey. His recount of meeting Sharon very interesting … “I know Israel has laws but ” not sure what the “butcher” would actual do to him in his own den.)
AJ’s standing among Arab nations:
Saudis and Qataris rowed about Aj, the Kuwaitis were called in to mediate. But the Kuwaities sided with the Saudis. “Ongoing Saudi pressure on potential advertisers meant that AJ, which had expected to be” profitable, was running a $30m annual loss.
Arafat’s men threatened AJ not to cover in-fighting or corruption. Sudan against Darfur coverage.
AJ is not the most watched program in Arab world, WWF wrestling or Who Millionaire? were more popular.
Dr Mamound Fandi worried about “living vicariously through the media” (a very insightful observation, a lot more should be learned what he meant: you participate by NOT participating)
The Qatari Foreign Minister said he feared setting foot outside the country because he always got such an earful about AJ. (Looks like Qatar state interference plays an extremely important role in AJ phenomemnon)
Interview with a Jordanian family (”Free Speech and the Domino Effect”)
Why AJ did not openly condemn the (Israel) attack and call for resistance (news media=alternative authority/announcement or propaganda outlet)
“It is the piper who calls the tune … Bush was the first serving US President to visit Qatar after the invasion of Iraq. US investment in Qatar have jumped from $300m to $30b in the past decade.”
The word of Martyr: Arabs think AJ “downgraded” martyrs to “guerrilla fighters” but AJ manager defending the term “what are we supposed to call these people?”
On the US running Iraqi affairs:
SAIC was called in to run Iraqi news media (the original head quit over designation of its role)
SAIC charged $100m in operating cost while it learned how to operate.
Exec. paid up to $273/hr, body guards paid $1000/day-man
Iraqi reporters paid $60-120/month. “When they demanded a clothing allowance, they were granted $150, but only for clothes for above the waist”. (I thought this has to be one of the best stories in the book)