"With the relative lack of violence, many nerves appeared calmed. Iraqis, especially, may have been emboldened by the coverage," reports the NYT -- yes, The Gray Lady herself -- re the unanticipated positive spin of Arab TV coverage of the Iraqi elections yesterday [via Mind of Mog]:
Overwhelmingly, Arab channels and newspapers greeted the elections as a critical event with major implications for the region, and many put significant resources into reporting on the vote.
Often criticized for glorifying Iraq's violence if not inciting it, Arab news channels appeared to take particular care in their election-day reporting. For many channels, the elections were treated on a par with the invasion itself, on which the major channels helped build their names.
Far from the almost nightly barrage of blood and tears, Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera, the kings of Arab news, barely showed the aftermath of the suicide bombings that occurred in the country.
For many Arabs, the surprisingly strong turnout on election day proved a singular opening, one that made the daily debate on TV screens more nuanced. On Al Jazeera, especially, many Iraqi guests lauded the process even as analysts from other Arab countries and Iraqis tied to the former government of Saddam Hussein decried the election for having occurred under occupation, and for having been centered on sectarian issues.
The daylong reporting of the election process, details on the personalities and almost step-by-step guides to the voting were a significant departure from what the Arab news media has produced in some time.
"We think this is a very important event, not just in Iraq but in the Arab world," [Al Arabiya's] Mr. Hage said. "It's the first real democratic event in the whole region, and it deserved the attention." Giving the event such special attention, Mr. Hage said, would help build Al Arabiya's brand as a critical news source, if not expand its viewership.
Adam Smith's Invisible hand at work winning hearts and minds -- and dollars! for the TV folks -- in the Land of the Purple Finger. It's a keeper.
Update: Well looky here. Al Jazeera is uprofitable and depending -- like PBS?-- upon state subsidies [via Roger L. Simon]. Qatar is trying to find a buyer. Who knew? Maybe that explains the recent wake-up call to facts on the ground.
Qatar is looking for a buyer for Al Jazeera? How about Rupert Murdoch? Or Roger Ailes. Opportunity's a-knockin'.
Posted by: Pipe Jones® | February 01, 2005 at 07:50 AM
Or how 'bout Ted Turner?
Posted by: Sissy Willis | February 01, 2005 at 08:04 AM