Al Jazeera: How the Free Arab News Network Scooped the World and Changed the Middle East [Hardcover]

Mohammed El-nawawy (Author), Adel Iskandar (Author), Adel Iskandar Farag (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2002

Al-Jazeera, the independent, all-Arab television news network based in Qatar, emerged as ambassador to the Arab world in the events following September 11, 2001. Arabic for “the peninsula,” Al-Jazeera has “scooped” the western media conglomerates many times. With its exclusive access to Osama Bin Laden and members of the Taliban, its reputation has been burnishing quickly through its exposure on CNN, even as it strives to maintain its independence as an international free press news network. Al-Jazeera sheds light on the background of the network: how it operates, the programs it broadcasts, its effects on Arab viewers, the reactions of the West and Arab states, the implications for the future of news broadcasting in the Middle East, and its struggle for a free press and public opinion in the Arab world.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Most Americans first heard of Qatar-based Al-Jazeera, the Arab satellite television news network, when they saw the October 2001 broadcast of the Osama bin Laden video. The Al-Jazeera bureau in Kabul gave the network exclusive footage on the war in Afghanistan, and with its access to Arab spokesmen and audiences it has emerged as a powerful player on the world stage. In an entertaining and accessible journalistic style, El-Nawawy, a former journalist in the Middle East and a journalism professor (Univ. of West Florida), and Iskandar, a communications professor (Univ. of Kentucky), examine the history of the network, its operation, and its effects on Arab viewers across the world. The authors also chronicle the negative reaction of Arab governments to some of the political coverage, such as Kuwaiti complaints that the network is too sympathetic to Iraq, and analyze several of the controversial talk shows, including The Other Direction, modeled on CNN's Crossfire, to highlight the radical nature of Al-Jazeera programming in Middle Eastern media history. Given ongoing world events, this timely book will be a welcome addition to academic and public libraries. Judy Solberg, George Washington Univ. Lib., Washington, DC
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A fair and engrossing look at the...most controversial television news channel in the Arab world." -- Richard Bulliet, Columbia University

"An important book chronicling the rise to global media prominence of the Qatar-based satellite station." -- David Barsamian, Alternative Radio

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813340179
• ISBN-13: 978-0813340173
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,545,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > History > Middle East > Qatar

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is not easy, October 19, 2006

By 

Mr Bassil A MARDELLI "Antoun" (Riad El-SOLH , Beirut Lebanon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Al Jazeera: How the Free Arab News Network Scooped the World and Changed the Middle East (Hardcover)

Al Jazeera is giving us a vivid and moving picture of a New Arab World in the making. There is no way to go back in times. This media channel is succeeding to keep one step ahead of many others advancing, foreign or local, TVs.
Live transmissions are notably courageous in their way struggling so hard to persuade local (and influential) governments to let them work into the `heart' of the stories being anchored, against the background of petty local political bickering and futility.
It is not easy, but the beauty about it is that it is also challenging, and a source of pride to millions of Arabs

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About time, April 27, 2002

By 

afjsjhg^* - See all my reviews

This review is from: Al Jazeera: How the Free Arab News Network Scooped the World and Changed the Middle East (Hardcover)

This book is the only book out there that looks at the media and politics in the Arab world. I would have liked to see a more detailed discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but with the day-to-day events and quick escalation in the Middle East, it is difficult to keep up. Either way, this book is as as detailed, unbiased, and current of an analysis as one could find. Its about time! hats off!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on a controversial TV channel, April 18, 2002

By 

Essam I. Farag (Halilfax, Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Al Jazeera: How the Free Arab News Network Scooped the World and Changed the Middle East (Hardcover)

As everyone has seen Al-Jazeera logos on Western TV stations after September 11's tragegy when they played Bin Laden videos, people have yearned to know more about this controversial Arabic satellite channel. El-Nawawy & Iskandar's book is not only the first on this station, but I think is also a very balanced, comprehensive and interesting read. It covers the role of the media in the Arab World, and the view of Al-Jazeera through Western eyes. I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the important role of media in creating democracy and better understanding the views of Arab civil society.