Why Al-Jazeera is important for Iraqi democracy
Sean Wilson
Issue date: 9/3/04 Section: Opinion
"If you are going to live in a democracy, then a free press is essential"
- Andy Rooney.
Has America shortchanged Iraqi democracy?
It is a bold statement to make, I know, but the moment a government begins to censor the free press, then an essential and integral piece of democracy - the insight of different points of view - is left behind for state approved media.
Not having a forum to let the government be held accountable for its actions is the first step to state run media and information. Look back to Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany for the effects a suppressed media can have. The issue here is that on Aug. 7 the interim Iraqi government shut down the Baghdad office of the Al-Jazeera Television Network citing national security concerns. The government stated in broad terms that the news reports broadcasted about the situation in Iraq incited violence and hatred in the population. So instead of giving them guidelines or a framework from which to work with, they just shut down the Iraqi office.
If Iraq was truly a free country now, as the Bush administration would argue, then why would a free democracy be so undemocratic and remove an Arabic owned and operated source of information, one that challenges it's viewers to another point of view than that of the government? Al-Jazeera is an invaluable source of information to those willing to be critical consumers of journalism. There are few news agencies that report the number of civilian casualties from fire fights, another side of public opinion or criticism on the American involvement in Iraq except for the Qatar based Al-Jazeera network.
The only all Arabic alternative in Iraq is now the American government-sponsored, Springfield, Va-based Al-Hurra Arabic network, launched Feb. 14, 2004.
According to the Feb. 9, 2004 Christian Science Monitor, "One way the U.S. will try to change its image, particularly in the Arabic world, is the Al-Hurra, or 'The Free One,' network. President Bush announced that Al-Hurra is designed as an alternative to Middle-Eastern broadcasts often critical of the U.S. ... Mr. Bush said Al-Hurra will aim to cut through the 'hateful propaganda that fills the airwaves in the Muslim world' and tell people 'the truth about the values and the policies of the United States.'"
Can anyone else see the bias and special interests here? How can this network report the pulse of the people if it is so selective? Can a television network created to service the Middle East, broadcasted from the United States really report the news that Iraqi people want to see, or deserve?
Sept. 7 is coming up, marking one month since the interim government shut down Al-Jazeera. I hope for the sake of democracy Al-Jazeera returns to the Iraqi people before then.
- Andy Rooney.
Has America shortchanged Iraqi democracy?
It is a bold statement to make, I know, but the moment a government begins to censor the free press, then an essential and integral piece of democracy - the insight of different points of view - is left behind for state approved media.
Not having a forum to let the government be held accountable for its actions is the first step to state run media and information. Look back to Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany for the effects a suppressed media can have. The issue here is that on Aug. 7 the interim Iraqi government shut down the Baghdad office of the Al-Jazeera Television Network citing national security concerns. The government stated in broad terms that the news reports broadcasted about the situation in Iraq incited violence and hatred in the population. So instead of giving them guidelines or a framework from which to work with, they just shut down the Iraqi office.
If Iraq was truly a free country now, as the Bush administration would argue, then why would a free democracy be so undemocratic and remove an Arabic owned and operated source of information, one that challenges it's viewers to another point of view than that of the government? Al-Jazeera is an invaluable source of information to those willing to be critical consumers of journalism. There are few news agencies that report the number of civilian casualties from fire fights, another side of public opinion or criticism on the American involvement in Iraq except for the Qatar based Al-Jazeera network.
The only all Arabic alternative in Iraq is now the American government-sponsored, Springfield, Va-based Al-Hurra Arabic network, launched Feb. 14, 2004.
According to the Feb. 9, 2004 Christian Science Monitor, "One way the U.S. will try to change its image, particularly in the Arabic world, is the Al-Hurra, or 'The Free One,' network. President Bush announced that Al-Hurra is designed as an alternative to Middle-Eastern broadcasts often critical of the U.S. ... Mr. Bush said Al-Hurra will aim to cut through the 'hateful propaganda that fills the airwaves in the Muslim world' and tell people 'the truth about the values and the policies of the United States.'"
Can anyone else see the bias and special interests here? How can this network report the pulse of the people if it is so selective? Can a television network created to service the Middle East, broadcasted from the United States really report the news that Iraqi people want to see, or deserve?
Sept. 7 is coming up, marking one month since the interim government shut down Al-Jazeera. I hope for the sake of democracy Al-Jazeera returns to the Iraqi people before then.
