Military Review English Edition July-August 2014 | Page 70

Al Jazeera’s Greater Influence

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew J. Good

Al Jazeera’s greatest strength may be its ability to
provide uncensored global news to its Arab audiences
and an Arab perspective to other viewers. For these
reasons, Al Jazeera has attracted loyal and diverse audiences all around the world. Its influence on its viewers’
global perspectives is unmatched.
Al Jazeera’s viewers are loyal because it adheres (for
the most part) to its foundational principles, such as reporting both sides of every story. Adopting the motto “the
opinion and the other opinion,” and creating programs
“intended to stimulate debate and controversy,” it has
challenged the status quo of Middle Eastern media and
the absolute power of authoritarian governments.26 The
network strives for objectivity and balance by providing
a variety of programming marked by diverse viewpoints
and opinions. Unlike other media outlets within the
Middle East, Al Jazeera has sought to open dialogue on
some of the most controversial topics in the Arab world,
such as government corruption, illicit sex, and other
taboo topics. Even in topics previously covered from only
one perspective by Arab media, such as the PalestinianIsraeli conflict, Al Jazeera has offered both sides the
opportunity to present their viewpoints and perspectives.
Another principle that has dramatically bolstered
Al Jazeera’s audience loyalty is its effort to serve as “the
voice of the voiceless.” Its reporting highlights many
of the ills of the global society and the lives of those

who suffer, especially those who perceive themselves as
disenfranchised. News coverage is not limited to official
statements from those in power. Reports try to bring
out the human interest perspective of every story, including civilian casualties from war, starving families in
refugee camps, and widowed spouses of police officers.
Al Jazeera’s wide popularity and tremendous influence extend beyond the Arab world to the worldwide
Muslim community, a community that the DOD and
U.S. Government have struggled to communicate with.
In fact, recent findings by the Pew Research Center
suggest Muslim countries’ opinions of U.S. policies have
decreased by 19 percent from the time of a similar
study in 2009.27 By contrast, Al Jazeera enjoys relative popularity and trust within these same countries.
According to author and Middle Eastern affairs expert
Dr. Glenn Robinson, “the data I have seen shows that
not only is Al Jazeera by far the most watched source
of regional and international news among all Arabs (at
about 50 percent), Al Jazeera is also the most trusted
source of news in the Arab and Muslim worlds.”28

Recommendations for Fostering
a Culture of Engagement with Al
Jazeera

In the spirit of Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote, “I
don’t like that man. I must get to know him better,” I
believe the most important first step the DOD can take
to foster a culture of engagement
with Al Jazeera is to understand and
learn to appreciate, the organization.
The simplest way to accomplish
this is through face-to-face meetings with the senior leadership of
Al Jazeera in Doha and its leaders
in Washington, D.C. Although
scheduling and travel could pose
challenges, a first step such as this
would demonstrate a willingness to
move toward a better relationship.
Although the DOD media relations team should spearhead this
effort, DOD senior leaders should
be active participants, especially in
visiting the headquarters in Doha.
Ben Foley, left, cameraman, and Bernard Smith, correspondent, both with Al Jazeera EnAt either location, all initial converglish News Channel, ready their equipment for a broadcast from Forward Operating Base
Kishtiwaln, Helmand province, Afghanistan, 20 May 2012.
sations should be informal and off
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July-August 2014  MILITARY REVIEW