Lessons from Abroad

“We wholeheartedly believe in intercultural, interreligious, and interracial dialogue for better understanding our common humanity.”-Mohammed El-Nawawy

            Even before its first broadcast, Al Jazeera set itself apart compared to other global news organizations.  Al Jazeera would promise to offer stories, correspondents and speakers from their countries of origin from both sides of the fences. The difference that Al Jazeera has made in changing the international news agenda has been in creating a new platform for presenting the full picture of situations.  “It was meant to cater to an international audience by giving the news a “pan-Arab” perspective.”  (Arner, 2006).  Al Jazeera offered to give unheard news and viewpoints from the southern globe to Mideast equal time and equal weight on air.  Not only world Al Jazeera broadcast more news about the disenfranchised, it reported from their perspective, acting as an ambassador for the entire global south.   According to Tony Burman, “Al Jazeera networks are notable for their extensive coverage of developing countries, including parts of South America, Africa and Asia that are rarely seen on British and American news channels.”  (Owen & Purdey, 2009, p. 131). 

One area Al Jazeera established itself is the ability to bring a connection to new audience members by drawing upon the individualized cultures and contexts out of which they originate.  “They clearly portray themselves as serving the interests of their viewers, not advertiser or politicians.  Not only do they promise authentic regional coverage that is actually rooted in the location, they overtly identify with popular interest without any self-consciousness.”  Al Jazeera presented themselves with the ability to provide free speech without censorship.  Providing the globe with a better understanding on the events from both sides of the fences, unconcerned with how the government will take their viewpoints.  Al Jazeera provides the government with the ability to address those issues as well, equal time and equal weight.  Overall, it was able to provide information for the people by what the people wanted to know and promoted their own voice on the changes they wanted to see.

Not only has the international news organizations began to take notice of their version of free speech, but many nations believe there are some benefits in providing and equal time and equal weight viewpoint.  According to Owen & Purdey (2009), Philip Fiske de Gouveia has urged the British government as well as African and European Union members to explore ways to create an independent, pan-African broadcaster.  (p. 132)  To establish A24 would create a better representation of Africa not only to itself, but will provide details of ongoing events.  “By presenting the Africa as a place of good and bad, honesty and corruption, economic vibrancy and poverty, eager entrepreneurs as well as those who still rely on foreign aid.”  (Owen & Purdey, 2009, p. 133).  The benefits of have a system similar to Al Jazeera would encourage more global interaction, but provide a voice to the voiceless.

After reading a bit of research material regarding the broadcast network that Al Jazeera has created there are some who believe the system is flawed and too controversial for all locations.  Yet, to be able to establish a network that provides both sides of arguments from different cultures and beliefs is a lesson something American correspondents should consider.  There are always two sides of a story and people are opinionated on their own moral beliefs and standards.  Al Jazeera is a perfect example of providing free speech and providing that voice to those who need it.  They are able to present the public with the full picture of the topic versus having only one side the story given.

Reference

Arner, P. (2006, November 18). Al-Jazeera International aims to change news agenda. Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.neurope.eu/article/al-jazeera-international-aims-change-news-agenda

Nawawy, M., & Iskander, A. (2002). Al-Jazeera: How the free Arab news network scooped the world and changed the Middle East. Cambridge, MA: Westview.

Owen, J. & Purdey, H. (Eds.). (2009). International news reporting: Frontlines and deadlines. Malden, MA: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.