The independent all-news channel Al Jazeera has become prominent in
providing news coverage of Middle Eastern politics and current events.
Based in Qatar, is has been called the Arab world’s CNN. Many turn to
it as their primary source of news about what’s taking place in the
Middle East.The name Al-Jazeera means “the island.” Perhaps
that reflects the aim of the news channel to retain its independence
and report the news objectively. At any rate, during its short history,
it has played a key role in keeping people around the world informed
about events in the Middle East, especially those connected to Al-Qaeda
and Osama bin Laden.In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on
the United States in September 2001, Al-Jazeera broadcast messages from
bin Laden. Not surprisingly, he directed his comments specifically to
the U.S. president, attacking him for his policies.This book by
El-Nawawy and Iskandar offers a well-drawn portrait of Al-Jazeera. It
details how it came into being, why it is located in Qatar, how Arab
governments view it, how the U.S. government and U.S. news media have
reacted to it, and why so many citizens of Middle Eastern countries in
particular have come to rely upon it as their primary news source.In
light of its subtitle, the book offers readers a key understanding of
how Al-Jazeera was able to give viewers coverage of events in
Afghanistan that U.S. news networks were not able to provide using
their own resources. With the U.S. war on terror in effect following
the events of September 11th, Al-Jazeera, which broadcasts in Arabic,
has been able to interview individuals and provide talk shows which
allow for a free exchange of ideas about what’s taking place in
connection with developments related to the war on terror.Suffice
it to say, Al-Jazeera has changed the TV viewing habits of Arabs, as
well as challenged the dominance of U.S. media in providing news
coverage of events in the Middle East.