1. Al Jazeera Channel as a global contra-flow Tine Ustad Figenschou Research fellow, IMK, UiO September 6, 2007

2. Flows and contra-flows Multiple media spaces of production, flow and identification Daya Kishan Thussu (ed.) (2007): Media on the Move. Global flow and contra-flow. Thussu´s (2007) typology of media flows: 1) Global flows 2) Transnational flows 3) Geo-cultural flows

3. Flows and contra-flows Multiple media spaces of production, flow and identification Daya Kishan Thussu (ed.) (2007): Media on the Move. Global flow and contra-flow. Thussu´s (2007) typology of media flows: 1) Global flows Dominant flow (from the “West to the rest”) 2) Transnational flows and 3) Geo-cultural flows Contra-flows (East/South to East/South or East/South to the West)

4. Satellite news ecology Mugdha Rai and Simon Cottle (2007): Global mediations. On the changing ecology of satellite television news To which extent has the growth of 24/7 news channels pluralized the global news market, and thus, challenged the stronghold of major Western players?

5. Main findings: 1) Global reach? 2) Global ownership? 3) Global access?

6. Main findings Rai and Cottle (2007): 1) Global reach? Western channels 2) Global ownership? Western owners 3) Global access? Western channels Consequences: Emerging satellite news channels choose to focus on smaller and more localized audiences.

7. Glocalization: Lack of enthusiasm for ”global news” Localization of global satellite news 24/7 satellite news targeting regional / national / local viewers (Fox News, Telesur, France 24) Underline the importance of alternative news coverage Changes in the 24/7 news format

8. The development of satellite television in the Middle East: Arab broadcasting media have been government-owned A political struggle between Arab governments over regional influence Arabsat 1976 CNN’s coverage of the Gulf War 1991 Remarkable concentration of satellite channels in Saudi hands

9. Al Jazeera Channel BBC Arabic and Orbit clashed over editorial independence Funded by the emir of Qatar Staff: Arabs who have worked in the West Since 1999: 24-hours a day Today it employs around 750 people

10. How free is Al Jazeera Channel? ”Undeclared economic boycott” GCC Still dependent on government funding - a “state-backed channel” Liberal trend in Qatar? Domestic issues are seldom a topic in the Qatari media Political changeS in Qatar may impact Al Jazeera

11. Challenging taboos TV-discussions of sensitive political, social, economic and religious subjects The second intifada (Palestinian uprising) Infuriated, provoked and frightened governments in the Middle East Criticised for being sensationalist, populist and speculative

12. Al Jazeera and the war on terror A contra-flow in the global war coverage: 1)Exclusive access to the Taliban-controlled areas 2) Exclusive tapes of Osama bin Laden and other Al-Qaeda- members 3) Showing images of civilian casualties Al-Qaeda: sophisticated and professional media campaign Tayseer Alouni sentenced to jail September 2005 US Authorities: put pressure on the Qatari government US broadcasters flew to Doha

13. The War in Iraq: The Arab perspective Most media-covered war The Arab satellite channels had an alternative narrative / perspective of the events USA: warned, criticised and pressured Al Jazeera: 1) Images of dead and wounded US soldiers and overestimating US losses 2) A propaganda tool for the Iraqi authorities, 3) Inciting Arab public opinion by showing graphic images of civilian casualties

14. Al Jazeera English A global channel? - Language - Ownership - Location - Staff - Editorial line A contra-flow or a dominant flow?

15. Read more: Hugh Miles (2005): Al-Jazeera. The Inside Story of the Arab News Channel That is Challenging the West March Lynch (2006): Voices of the New Arab Public. Iraq, Al-Jazeera, and Middle East Politics Today Josh Rushing (2007): Mission Al Jazeera Arab Media and Society (online journal): www.arabmediasociety.com/ www.arabmediasociety.com/