Tag Archives: Al Jazeera

  • 13
    Apr 16
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IMAGE: AL JAZEERA AMERICA

Al Jazeera America: I’m sad to see you go

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January 13, 2016 was a painful day for me. I had heard rumors, but was really disappointed to see in print that Al Jazeera America was actually closing down in April. And, now … that day has come and I am so sad. What a huge loss.

Screen Shot 2016-04-10 at 6.30.33 AM

Screen Shot 2016-04-10 at 6.30.33 AM

They say, “all good things must come to an end”… but, I am not ready to let go. I grew to respect and love this network and all that it stood for. And even entertained the idea of applying for a job with them after I finished grad school. The programming was excellent. I learned so much about the world from their balanced coverage and informative shows. I was so depressed when I learned about the closure that I didn’t want to accept it and now that it’s right in front of my face the reality is hitting hard. And, I know I’m not alone. But, I wish more Americans had been open-minded and less judgmental. If so, AJA would still be a viable network and, in my humble opinion, a leading one. No other network compares when it comes to balanced coverage.

Al Jazeera America did not just showcase the slanted opinions of top leaders and high level corporate types. The journalists at AJA interviewed regular people and shared their views. I wish more Americans had tuned in…they would have been hooked by the professionalism, charm, and wide-ranging subject matter. But, unfortunately, people who watch the likes of Fox News and listen to creepy conservative talk show hosts do not think for themselves. No, they allowed their minds to be poisoned and wouldn’t even consider watching Al Jazeera America. Sad. Very sad.

That said, I am grateful that I have an open-mind and that I tuned in for excellent coverage produced by the amazing network staff. Thank you, Al Jazeera America! I will continue to follow AJ+, but you and the American crew will be greatly missed in my daily routine. Wishing you all the very best … wherever you land. Good night and good bye.

 

  • 15
    Jan 13
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You are what you read …

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In a world that moves too fast, people often take in only headlines and move on. However, if you did that today from only one of the three examples below, you might have walked away with a totally different perspective. That’s why media literacy, taking in as many sources as possible, will help people arrive at a truth that works for them. Check out these examples and try this on your own! I dare you to look at three different sources (or more) on a news item and compare … and I don’t just mean reading the headlines. It’s time to dig deeper everyone! And, let me know your results! 🙂

If you have trouble reading the small print on the images, just click on them to see a larger copy!

Oprah and Lance Armstrong - Al Jazeera

Oprah and Lance Armstrong – Al Jazeera

Oprah and Lance Armstrong - Fox News

Oprah and Lance Armstrong – Fox News

Oprah and Lance Armstrong - CNN

Oprah and Lance Armstrong – CNN

  • 01
    Apr 11
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Why is Al Jazeera canceling Riz Khan’s Show?

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Al Jazeera English is cancelling Riz Khan’s wonderful show … this is one of the best shows I have seen and I’m terribly disappointed in AJE for canceling it. Please check out the show above and stand up for Riz … we need people like Riz Khan who are willing to listen and respect different perspectives in this world!

We need Riz Khan’s show and many more like it … please, do not take away this show!

  • 05
    May 09
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How can YOU gain perspective? – I. Literative Review

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This post discusses several relevant pieces of literature produced by scholars on the origins of perception and media bias.

In America, citizens have the right to exercise their media literacy skills to search for a vein of truth or a version they can live with. To accomplish this people must cut through the veneer in search of visceral content and that includes stories they may not agree with. But most people are too busy to digest multiple news sources and often feed on news outlets that resonate with their political, social, or environmental positions. So, instead of challenging their views, they merely reinforce them.

Pronin, Kennedy, and Butsch (2006) concluded that people are so confident in their own point of view that others appear biased. In other words, if a co-worker’s views are far from your own, he or she may appear biased to you. Data collected by scholars also suggested that a variety of factors cause perceived bias; for example, an affiliation with a particular political group will alter perception instead of the actual media coverage itself (Ariyanto, Hornsey, & Gallois, 2007; Kim & Pasadeos, 2007). Therefore, people on both sides of an issue will look at the same media story and see it as biased (Ariyanto, Hornsey, & Gallois, 2007; Kim & Pasdeos, 2007).

People unconsciously allow the media to build their perception and eventually manipulate their belief systems. So, how can people re-construct their personal views? Is it possible? I argue that people can change by supplementing their media mix. If individuals use one source like Fox News, but do not supplement it with other views their perception will be limited. The same could be said for those who take in a daily diet of only CNN or Al Jazeera. Aday, Livingston, and Hebert (2005) deduced from their research that during the lead up to the Iraq War, American networks barely mentioned the growing dissent in the US and worldwide that brought millions of people out to rallies and marches. In contrast, Al Jazeera devoted 6.7% of its airtime to the issue of dissent (Aday, Livingston, & Herbert, 2005). Would the Bush administration have sold the public on initiating the war if Americans had heard in greater detail about the worldwide and U.S. dissent on the news? Sadly, we will never know.

In sum, scholars have analyzed the origins of perception bias and concluded that people base their perception of events on the following:

1) what they watch, listen, or read,
2) which political party they affiliate with, and
3) a host of other factors.

In America, many people grew up with only three television networks and they still rely on these sources today. However, young people growing up with new technologies prefer a plethora of options and are ripe to learn how to use them. In that regard, media literacy advocates must continue to encourage people of all ages to vary their media mix to ensure more balance and a broader perspective.

  • 05
    May 09
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Are Americans getting a balanced diet of news? – II. Analysis

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This post discusses two videos that offer different views of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In some cases, the mere topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can bring typically mild-mannered people to the brink of emotional distress. Some, especially Christians and Jews, feel that Israel has a God-given right to the land and to defend itself. For example, many of my friends and relatives feel that the Israelis did the right thing by attacking the Palestinians in December of 2008. I argue that if these people were to openly partake of a well-balanced media mix, they might begin to perceive the Israeli-Palestinian issue, as well as other issues, differently.

For example, what if people with strong views against the Palestinians were to watch shows like Focus on Gaza featured on Al Jazeera:


(Al Jazeera English, 2009).

Several of the comments on Al Jazeera’s Focus on Gaza website reveal how people can have an open, civil discussion about this conflict. I would like to highlight two of them:

“I am very thankful that Al Jazeera is investigating war crimes in Gaza. Please don’t stop. I am sure there must be hundreds of war crimes. Al Jazeera is making a difference in the World.” (Barnes, 2009).
Robert Barnes, United States
22/02/2009 (Gaza War Crimes)

and

“It’s interesting, at least from my perspective, that the Arabs and the Jews hate each [other] so much. I speak as a Jew myself when I say that we are sons and daughters of Abraham. There is no logical reason why we should fight. Yes, Israel has done horrible things to Palestinians. But on the flipside, Arabs are waging a war of hatred against Israel just for being a Jewish state. I read the paper everyday and everyday I am amazed at the hatred both sides have. This hate must stop for their to be peace.” (Aaron, 2009).
Aaron, United States
07/03/2009 (Arabs and Jews)

I am not suggesting a total new diet of news from Al Jazeera, but something from the opposite side or at least a different angle. After watching Al Jazeera and Fox News, some people might come up with thoughtful questions or insightful remarks that could lead to a dialogue similar to the one above. For example, the following YouTube vlogger provides a good example of using several forms of media and pausing to ask questions:


(Liberal Viewer, 2009).

Americans need to learn to flex their media literacy muscles. Our brains are in an atrophied state from taking in the same redundant sources. Even though it is painful to listen to something that one opposes or does not understand, we must open our minds, take a deep breath, and try. People who want to discuss these issues should start a blog, embed video comparisons, and add questions to see how other people think. In order to achieve balance, Americans must open their minds to new perspectives.

  • 05
    May 09
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Compare multiple sources: What does Al Jazeera have to say? – II. Analysis

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This post analyzes several scholarly papers which suggest that transnational news channels such as Al Jazeera, BBC, or Al-Arabiya offer new views, new perspectives.

Scholars suggested that over-exposure to stereotypes increased the amount of bias to the point where a race-danger association caused respondents in a simulated computer game to shoot on the basis of bias (Correll, J., Park, B., Judd, C. M., & Wittenbrink, B., 2007). Further, Pronin, Kennedy, and Butsch (2006) concluded that whether terrorists are perceived as rational or irrational the choice to respond may be different; in the former, the action may be diplomacy, in the latter, the response may be to attack. Moreover, these researchers learned that perceptions were influenced by “contextual factors such as media portrayals” (Pronin, Kennedy, & Butsch, 2006). In lieu of these discoveries, what we perceive … we tend to believe or act on.

People are quick to point out that others are biased or irrational especially when they do NOT agree with the other person’s views, opinions, or activities (Pronin, Kennedy, & Butsch, 2006). So, in an age where the mainstream media outlets are more polarized either to the left or to the right, how do Americans find fair and balanced news? We must encourage Americans to practice their media literacy skills. This will help them take control of the media messages they absorb—thus, providing them with a clearer perspective (Potter, 2008).

Let’s talk about perspective. Perception is about proximity and your proximity depends on your vantage point. Picture this: you witness an accident at a busy intersection along with 14 other people. In essence, you have:

15 Eyewitnesses
15 Perspectives
Each will have a story.
Each will be right.

This is precisely why—in a court of law—it is so important to have as many eyewitnesses as possible. The same goes for perspective and media literacy. How can you gain perspective? Look for different angles, check out different sources, and do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Because, how you perceive an event depends on what you see?

For example, try out new sources, “Credibility is not inherent in a source, but rather it is a perception held by audience members” (Johnson & Fahmy, 2008, p. 341). Step away from networks you rely on like Fox News, CNN, PBS, or MSNBC and see how other news outlets frame events like Al Jazeera, BBC, or Al-Arabiya. Media literacy is all about exposure to a variety of media sources that will provide us the basis from which to build our own perspective.

When Al-Jazeera entered the transnational television scene, critics claimed it was slanted against the U.S., that it disobeyed Arab customs and politics, and cozied up to terrorists (Johnson & Fahmy, 2008). On the contrary, supporters saw that it had a hard-hitting style, refused to be a mouthpiece for Arab regimes, and that it provided an accurate and balanced Arab perspective (Johnson & Fahmy, 2008).

To that end, Johnson & Fahmy (2008) research rendered the following perspectives:

— Al -Jazeera viewers see the satellite news network as “their most trusted source of news” (Johnson & Fahmy, 2008, p. 338).

— Survey “respondents rated the credibility of Al-Jazeera higher than CNN, BBC and local Arab media” (Johnson & Fahmy, 2008, p. 349).

— in the Arab world, people see Al-Jazeera as a network that is “advancing the concept of a free press” (Johnson & Fahmy, 2008, p. 355).

Further, Matar (2006) interviewed Palestinians in the UK after September 11, 2001; here are some actual quotes about how they felt after viewing the news on Arabic and other satellite news channels:

“I like to watch Al-Jazeera and Al-Manar. The news is very interesting and…you feel they say what is in my heart and express what is in my mind.”
(Female respondent; interview, 14th February 2002; p. 1032).

“I feel that the event is being used by the Israelis…[The United States] are trying their best to target the Palestinians. This event has absolutely changed Palestinian lives.”
(Christian Palestinian; interview, 18th January 2002; p. 1033).

“I watch the news and live with the story. I live with it. I imagine myself there and feel as though they (the Israelis) have hit me, killed me. Those children are like my children. I am always there (in Palestine).”
(60-year-old Muslim female; interview, 25 March 2002; p. 1037).

Two other scholars, Harb and Bessaiso (2006), interviewed British Arab Muslim’s after the infamous September 11 and came up with similar results. They suggested that the “availability of Arab satellite television channels in Britain enabled the respondents to see news that bolstered existing perspectives and a sense of Arab Muslim identity” (p. 1063). Since most American and Western media outlets tend to brand Muslims as terrorists, patriarchal, and sexist, it is imperative that the Muslim world have a venue to argue from their perspective (Harb & Bessaiso, 2006).

According to Hugh Miles, author of Al-Jazeera: The Inside Story of the Arab News Channel that is Challenging the West., the fact that differing and opposing groups have criticized the channel suggests that it is balanced and credible (Moussa, 2007; Aday, Livingston, & Hebert, 2005). Miles also pointed out that Al-Jazeera contributed to the liberalization of Arab media by prompting the Arab Rulers who controlled their national television stations to take on a more professional Al-Jazeera look in order to keep their viewers (Moussa, 2007). Miles also acknowledged that Al-Jazeera covered the Iraq War with more balance and “critical journalism” than did it’s Western counterparts (Moussa, 2007, p. 150).

In sum, Westerners should sample the Arab perspective as part of their media literacy protocol. The reality is…not all Arabs are Muslims. Some are Christians, some are also Jews. Each have their own perspective and it is our responsibility to try our level-best to see as many perspectives as possible. It is especially imperative in the increasingly polarized media environment we exist in today. Of course, it is also important for Arabs to supplement their media menu with news from a different perspective, as well.

  • 05
    May 09
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Making the invisible visible … – II. Analysis

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This post will discuss findings from two scholarly papers and explore why making the invisible visible could cause volatility for Palestinians and others.

Shani Orgad asserted that making the “invisible visible” in the 24-hour transnational news arena could actually “increase instability and amplify the volatility” of the people and the act it exposes (Orgad, 2008, p. 319). Orgad goes on to list several cases where the media visibility caused a negative reaction for formerly invisible people. Orgad suggests that people start to doubt themselves and sees this as a negative. I argue that this awkward stage of doubting oneself or one’s country is part of a growth process. Orgad substantiated this with the ‘rest of the story’ about France and the negative worldwide exposure it gained from the 2005 riots; as a result, France now has their own 24-hour transnational channel. Maybe this is because of the self-examination after the riots, maybe not.

To use Orgad’s (2008) illustration, transnational news is a “multi-faceted” mirror and sometimes reflects an image or side of a country that the leaders do not want others to see (p. 320). For people practicing their media literacy skills, this environment of multiple versions is ripe for gaining perspective and analyzing elements of various stories. In contrast, as Orgad (2008) points out, citizens may become cynical, lose faith in the news, and alienate themselves which therefore, could jeopardize democracy (p. 321). Orgad may have a point here, but this is clearly why America needs to educate and encourage it’s citizens about the media literacy movement.

To that end, Aday, Livingston, and Hebert’s (2005) research substantiated that the networks in their project all framed the Iraq War. These networks included ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox New Channel (FNC), and Al-Jazeera. Each network framed the story according to what they saw as the salient issue, but the reality for people honing their media literacy skills is: “what is covered and what is not” (Aday, Livingston, & Herbert, 2005, p. 11). CNN and FNC showed significantly more stories about battles, tactics, and strategy with a steady stream of military experts offering their opinions. However, the networks barely showed the dissent in the U.S. (one-fifth of Americans) or the “widespread elite opposition” around the world (Aday, Livingston, & Hebert, 2005, p. 11). In contrast, and as mentioned in an earlier post, Al-Jazeera spent 6.7% of their stories on the dissent topic (Aday, Livingston, & Hebert, 2005).

Interestingly, Al-Jazeera made the invisible visible. It covered the humanitarian side of the war, the civilian casualties, the bloody perspective. In an interesting twist, the scholars pointed out that “Al Jazeera did not air many stories on civilian casualties, contrary to conventional wisdom” (Aday, Livingston, & Hebert, 2005). So, why did Americans hear over-and-over again that Al-Jazeera is so unbalanced? Were people in America really watching Al-Jazeera or just sound-bites over-and-over again on CNN or FNC?

According to American journalist and FNC anchor, Brit Hume, the civilian casualties were “merely part of war and not deserving of significant coverage” (as cited in Aday, Livingston, Hebert, 2005, p. 12). I argue that if one of my loved ones were a victim, I would feel differently. It would be significant to me and I would want people to know. Networks that sanction providing a sanitized version of war are doing a disservice to mankind. The fact that the networks continue to highlight or low-light certain issues should provide scholars and people who believe in the need to educate the populace about the media literacy movement the fuel they need to move forward.

  • 05
    May 09
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Test your power of perspective … – II. Analysis

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This post introduces a strategy for news consumption that media consumers can implement to ensure perspective and balance.

After America preemptively attacked Iraq in 2003, American networks provided viewers with a sanitized version of the war. In contrast, networks like Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya portrayed the gross and bloody reality of the war. The Arab networks clearly showed the devastating reality inflicted on the Iraqi citizens, as well as American and Coalition soldiers. If news organizations in the U.S. had shown the same bloody images, I wonder if Americans would have called for an end to the war sooner?

Now today, looking at the Israeli-Palestinian issue, I wonder how Americans would feel if they saw the images that are broadcast on Arab media networks? For example, how does it make you feel when you look at this picture of young Palestinian’s throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers:

Figure 1. Palestinian youth throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers (2007). Source: Flickr.com.

Figure 1. Palestinian youth throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers (2007). Source: Flickr.com.

Does this photo elicit a different set of emotions?

Figure 2. Blindfolded Palestinian students guarded by soldiers at checkpoint (2006). Source: Flickr.com.

Figure 2. Blindfolded Palestinian students guarded by soldiers at checkpoint (2006). Source: Flickr.com.

In Figure 2, the 19-year old Palestinian students were forced to stand blindfolded outside in the hot sun for 9 hours at an Israeli checkpoint because they refused to line up the way the guards instructed. They had an exam the next day. After hearing the rest of the story, how do you feel? Could you imagine living like this? Could you imagine having to stand in a line for hours to cross from state-to-state or city-to-city in America?

In sum, people can obtain perspective and balance by sampling a variety of media sources. Media literate communicators should encourage students, friends, and family to supplement their media mix with blogs and International newspapers on the Web that offer an English version. Google News offers 25,000 news sources. Most Americans have no excuses; there are multiple perspectives out there and very accessible. We should all strive for balance by taking in a variety of perspectives.

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