Western media rely heavily on reports gathered by the two most influential Arab media organizations that indirectly play an import role in the turbulent events stirring up the Arab world. Focusing on two chief correspondents of Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, we not only learn more about the often difficult conditions they have to work in, but also about their methods and journalistic views regarding the Arab revolution. Most importantly we investigate how far (or in what way?) the news channels they work for are subjected to the foreign and internal policy of the countries that finance them.
What is the role of Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya news broadcasters in recent revolutions in the Arab world? And how independent is their coverage actually, given their funders?
Original title: De slag om de Arabische kijker
The western media are largely dependent on the announcements of the Arab news channels, especially those of Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. Al Jazeera is funded by Qatar and Al Arabiya through Saudi Arabia. These two news stations are among the most influential organizations in the Arab world and play indirectly an important role in the current turbulent developments.
In this documentary we outline a portrait of two correspondents in Cairo who work for Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. In addition, we learn not only about the often difficult and dangerous conditions they need to work, but also about their method of approach and journalistic vision of the Arab revolution. Furthermore, we investigate how (and in any way) the news broadcasters are bound to the domestic and foreign politics of the countries that finance them and speak Arab media experts from Egypt and Lebanon on this issue.
Originally broadcasted by VPRO in 2011.
© VPRO Backlight October 2011
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Credits:
Director: Nordin Lasfar
Research: Anass Bendrif
Production: Marie Schutgens
Editors: Henneke Hagen / Jos de Putter
English, French and Spanish subtitles: Ericsson.
French and Spanish subtitles are co-funded by European Union.
