|
December
2005
By:
Raya Shokatfard
Afghanistan
09/12/2005 Afghan pundit says violence against journalists
declining
Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV on 9 December
[Correspondent] Threat and violence against journalists have
relatively declined. Mohammad Zia Bomia, a member of the Independent
Journalists Union, has said that presently the major risk for
journalists is self-censorship, which should be avoided. He
also said that a number of journalists did not want to reveal
the truth.
[Mohammad Zia Bomia in Pashto] Thank God, violence and threat
against journalists have been declining. Obviously; in the past,
journalists were threatened and insulted a lot. Although at
present violence and threat have not been entirely removed,
but now they are endangered by self-censorship.
Source: Tolo TV, Kabul, in Dari 1330 gmt 9 Dec 05
EGYPT
01/12/2005 Egypt: Security forces detain Al-Jazeera
cameramen, destroy tape
Text of report by Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 1 December
The third and final phase of the Egyptian legislative elections
was accompanied by incidents of violence. French news agencies
quoted a medical source as saying that an Egyptian citizen was
killed by police gunfire during clashes that erupted in the
town of Baltim in Kfar al-Shaykh Governorate. During this round
of elections, which is being held in nine governorates, there
were complaints about the security forces preventing voters
from entering the polling stations.
Meanwhile, the Al-Jazeera correspondent in Kfar al-Shaykh reported
that the security forces held the Al-Jazeera cameramen for a
while and destroyed the crew's recorded videotape.
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1500 gmt 1 Dec 05
IRAQ
02/12/2005 Al-Jazeera reports further on allegations
of US planting articles in Iraqi press
Text of report by Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 2 December
Bombing plans are no longer the only way of responding to
media outlets. According to the Los Angeles [LA] Times, some
in the US military establishment have chosen a different method
of avoiding news and information that contradicts Washington's
policy and of portraying the United States the way it wants
to be. This is the method of payments, or bribery, which was
recently exposed, only to add to the Bush administration's sense
of embarrassment over the past few days due to reports of plans
that had been discussed with British Prime Minister Tony Blair
to bomb Al-Jazeera channel's offices.
The details the LA Times published quote Pentagon officials
on the formation this year of a team called the Information
Operations Task Force, which secretly paid Iraqi newspapers
to publish pro-US articles written by US servicemen. The team
also purchased an Iraqi newspaper and has taken control of a
radio station in Baghdad for the same purpose.
This circle of reports grew larger and larger when a US media
group called Knight Ridder reported that the US army had paid
Iraqi journalists as much as 200 dollars for each article in
praise of the coalition forces. What was remarkable was that
none of the US army's spokesmen denied the controversial report,
instead, some of them tried to justify it by saying that the
LA Times report reflects part of the agenda adopted by the multinational
forces in Iraq, which seeks to convey accurate information on
operations there and counter the lies and deception spread through
the news by those the spokesman referred to as insurgents.
The White House was quick to express its deep concern, and
demanded clarification from the Department of Defence. Members
of Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, said that such
reports, if proven to be correct, would harm the independence
of Iraqi media and undermine the credibility of the United States.
[video shows US forces in Iraqi streets, footage from a White
House press briefing]
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1406 gmt 2 Dec 05
IRAN
01/12/2005 Iranian paper says new satellite channel
hires dissident journalist
Text of report by Iranian newspaper Kayhan website on 1 December
Saba satellite channel will be funded by revenue generated
from advertisements placed by companies in Dubai and secular
groups inside and outside of the country.
Behruz Afkhamai, the managing-director of this satellite channel
which is owned by Mehdi Karrubi told MEHR News Agency that 300m
tomans have been invested in this project. He said: I hope we
cover our cost by attracting advertisements from business outside
of Iran, especially those in Dubai.
He said the reason for deciding against the use of a female
actress as the announcer of the programme was the inability
to pay her fee.
Also commenting about a reporter who had been banned from
covering the parliament, due to some transgressions, he said:
The reporter has been hired by Karrubi' satellite company. Afkhami
also said: Shamsolva'ezin and Mas'ud Behnud (who is living in
London) will work as analysts for the satellite channel.
It seems that this channel will be a gathering place for those
who have been rejected by the people and their representatives.
Source: Kayhan website, Tehran, in Persian 1 Dec 05
Israel
01/12/2005 Israeli army arrests Al-Jazeera correspondent
in Hebron - Iranian agency
Al-Khalil [Hebron], 1 December: The Israeli occupation army
on Wednesday [30 December] arrested a Palestinian journalist
who works for the TV channel Al-Jazeera's Arabic service as
well as several local and international media staff.
Palestinian sources told IRNA that crack Israeli soldiers and
Shin Beth (Israel's domestic intelligence service) officers
stormed Awad Rajub's home in the southern West Bank town of
Dura shortly before dawn.
The soldiers reportedly searched his home thoroughly, took
him away and confiscated his personal computer, telephone book
and other personal papers.
Rajub, 28, is a cousin of Palestinian [National] Authority
official Jibril Rajub. Rajub graduated from Qatar University
a few years ago and had never been arrested before.
An Israeli army spokesman, Avi-Chai Adruaie, said Rajub was
arrested for reasons unrelated to his journalistic profession.
"All I can tell you is that he was arrested for security
reasons because he possessed information the army needs."
Israel has already arrested a number of Palestinian journalists
who are now detained at the Kitziot detention camp in southern
Israel. Source: IRNA website, Tehran
EGYPT
05/12/2005 New head of Egyptian broadcast union appointed
Major-General Ahmad Anis has been appointed chairman of the
board of trustees of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union
(ERTU), according to a report by Egyptian news agency MENA on
5 December.
Egyptian Information Minister Anas al-Fiqi was quoted as saying
that Anis's appointment was part of "a policy that aims
at introducing new leaderships into the media field to upgrade
and develop the performance of this sector".
Source: MENA news agency, Cairo, in English 1505 gmt 5 Dec
05
IRAN
04/12/2005 Iran's state broadcaster seeking its own
satellite
The first satellite exclusively for the use of Islamic Republic
of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) could be launched in two years time,
according to a report in the Iran newspaper on 4 December.
The report quoted an IRIB official, Hasan Taqaddosnezhad, as
saying that a proposal for this project had been submitted to
the government and Majlis two months ago. If approved by the
Majlis, the national broadcaster would have its own independent
satellite. The official said that it was hoped that, with government
support, the 200-million dollar cost of the project could be
met from the foreign currency reserve fund.
Taqaddosnezhad added that the world was currently facing a
media war and Iran needed an independent satellite to transmit
the message of the Islamic revolution and represent the civilization
and culture of Islamic Iran. He said the satellite would meet
the latest technical standards and would cover Asian, European
and American countries. He hoped the government and Majlis would
cooperate and allow the national media to launch its own satellite
so it could have an active international presence.
The report added that the state broadcaster was also planning
a move from analogue to digital broadcasting and extending the
nationwide coverage of various networks.
Source: Iran website, Tehran, in Persian 4 Dec 05
IRAN
06/12/2005 Iran: A number of journalists among those
killed in plane crash
Text of report by Iranian Mehr news agency on 6 December 2005
A number of correspondents, including those of the Voice and
Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran [VVIRI], have been killed
in the C-130 plane crash in [Tehran], Mehr News Agency reports.
According to Mehr News Agency, quoting the Central News Unit,
as a consequence of the crash, a number of correspondents have
been killed, including those from the Central News Unit, the
News Network of the VVIRI, ISNA, IRNA and Fars News Agency as
well as cameramen and technical staff of the VVIRI.
On Tuesday [6 December]at 1345 [local time, 1015 gmt], the
C-130 of the military of the Islamic Republic of Iran was on
its return flight to Tehran when, while approaching Mehrabad
Airport, owing to technical problems it came down at the Azari
crossroad and crashed into residential buildings.
Source: Mehr news agency, Tehran, in Persian 1212 gmt 6 Dec
05
IRAN
06/12/2005 Iran to go ahead with manoeuvre without
media coverage - agency
Text of report by Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) website
The head of the public relations department of the Army of
the Islamic Republic of Iran Military [Persian: Military] has
said: The Devotees of Velayat [Guardianship] manoeuvre is to
be held without being covered by reporters and the media.
Talking to ILNA, Col Shahin Taqikhani expressed his sincere
regret for the incident [the crash of C-130 plane in Tehran]
and added: Up to now the decision to go ahead with the manoeuvre
has not changed and everyone should contribute so that some
people would not take advantage of the situation.
The officer added: If we do not go ahead with the manoeuvre,
some might take it as a weakness, and I hope that the families
and relatives of those killed in the incident will be pleased
with the start of the manoeuvre.
Col Taqikhani added: Some of those who lost their lives in
the incident were among the best people in the media and Brig-Gen
[Abbas] Va'ezi [deputy commander of the Military for public
relations, killed in the crash] was a warrior who fought the
enemy for years during the holy war [Iran-Iraq war], but offered
his life to his homeland in the arena of information dissemination.
Finally, he talked about Mohammad Sadeq Nili, a Fars News Agency
correspondent, and said: He was a devoted hardworking young
journalist who contributed to the enhancement of earlier manoeuvres
and fully covered them.
Source: Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), Tehran, in Persian
1704 gmt 6 Dec 05
EGYPT
01/12/2005 Egypt: Security forces detain Al-Jazeera
cameramen, destroy tape
Text of report by Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 1 December
The third and final phase of the Egyptian legislative elections
was accompanied by incidents of violence. French news agencies
quoted a medical source as saying that an Egyptian citizen was
killed by police gunfire during clashes that erupted in the
town of Baltim in Kfar al-Shaykh Governorate. During this round
of elections, which is being held in nine governorates, there
were complaints about the security forces preventing voters
from entering the polling stations.
Meanwhile, the Al-Jazeera correspondent in Kfar al-Shaykh reported
that the security forces held the Al-Jazeera cameramen for a
while and destroyed the crew's recorded videotape.
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1500 gmt 1 Dec 05
IRAQ
02/12/2005 Al-Jazeera reports further on allegations
of US planting articles in Iraqi press
Text of report by Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 2 December
Bombing plans are no longer the only way of responding to media
outlets. According to the Los Angeles [LA] Times, some in the
US military establishment have chosen a different method of
avoiding news and information that contradicts Washington's
policy and of portraying the United States the way it wants
to be. This is the method of payments, or bribery, which was
recently exposed, only to add to the Bush administration's sense
of embarrassment over the past few days due to reports of plans
that had been discussed with British Prime Minister Tony Blair
to bomb Al-Jazeera channel's offices.
The details the LA Times published quote Pentagon officials
on the formation this year of a team called the Information
Operations Task Force, which secretly paid Iraqi newspapers
to publish pro-US articles written by US servicemen. The team
also purchased an Iraqi newspaper and has taken control of a
radio station in Baghdad for the same purpose.
This circle of reports grew larger and larger when a US media
group called Knight Ridder reported that the US army had paid
Iraqi journalists as much as 200 dollars for each article in
praise of the coalition forces. What was remarkable was that
none of the US army's spokesmen denied the controversial report,
instead, some of them tried to justify it by saying that the
LA Times report reflects part of the agenda adopted by the multinational
forces in Iraq, which seeks to convey accurate information on
operations there and counter the lies and deception spread through
the news by those the spokesman referred to as insurgents.
The White House was quick to express its deep concern, and
demanded clarification from the Department of Defence. Members
of Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, said that such
reports, if proven to be correct, would harm the independence
of Iraqi media and undermine the credibility of the United States.
[video shows US forces in Iraqi streets, footage from a White
House press briefing]
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1406 gmt 2 Dec 05
IRAQ
01/12/2005 USA/Iraq: US military reportedly planted
articles in Iraqi media
Text of report in English by VOA News.com website on 1 December
The White House has expressed concern about reports that the
US military paid Iraqi newspapers to run pro-American stories
about the war and rebuilding effort.
Spokesman Scott McClellan Thursday [1 December] said the White
House is seeking more information from the Defense Department.
The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday first reported the programme
to plant articles in Iraqi media. It reported that American
soldiers wrote the articles and presented them to Iraqi media
as unbiased accounts from independent journalists.
The Defense Department said it is looking into the matter.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said he sent inquiries to military
officials in Iraq about the alleged activity. He added that,
if true, some of the activities are troubling.
Source: VOA News.com website, Washington D.C., in English 1
Dec 05
IRAQ
04/12/2005 Iraq journalists to investigate reports
of US planted stories
Text of live telephone interview with Mu'ayyad al-Lami, secretary
of the Iraqi Journalists Association, in Baghdad; by anchor
Luna al-Shibl, in the Doha studio, carried by Qatari Al-Jazeera
satellite TV on 4 December
[Al-Shibl] The Iraqi Journalists Association said that it is
investigating reports that the US forces offered bribes to run
articles written by US officials in Iraqi newspapers. In a statement
of which Al-Jazeera received a copy, the association said that
it will not hesitate to expel, expose, and scandalize anyone
who was followed this shameful path of the few people who sold
their national and professional conscience to the occupier.
What is the use of such investigations especially since Washington
did not clearly deny them?
[Al-Lami] First of all I must note that Iraqi journalists are
honest and honourable, but what we heard about bribes offered
to some journalists or [indistinct word], is a big catastrophe
that does not relate to the ethics and honour of the practice
and the by-laws of the Iraqi Journalists Association. Therefore,
we have decided to open a big investigation to verify these
allegations in the first place. We do know that there are some
bad elements that exist in every community, group, and practice.
Therefore, I believe that this investigation is very useful
because we will expose some people although I consider them
to be very few who acted in such a cheap way that reflects the
weakens of their ethics and professionalism.
[Al-Shibl] Since this information was circulated in Iraq,
most journalists in Iraq insisted on saying that these articles
do not express the reality in anyway. If so, why did not the
association investigate about those who write such articles
which do not express the reality before the Los Angles Times
published them?
[Al-Lami] My dear lady: Iraq is now experiencing an atmosphere
of freedom of opinion and democracy but there is also chaos.
More than 200 newspapers are published in Baghdad. Accordingly,
the association, with its capabilities, tried to ensure the
professional conduct of newspapers in a logical and good manner.
However, some newspapers started to write in a cheap way and
some other newspapers started to run inauthentic articles as
US reports indicated in order to beautify the image of the occupier
in our country especially in view of its huge mistakes and killing
of hundreds, and thousands of Iraqis. This is why we previously
told many colleagues that they must not follow this path, telling
them that they are patriotic, impartial, and professional and
should not follow this path. We told them that they should distance
themselves from politics and the occupation forces, which killed
many dear colleagues in Iraq. More than 70 journalists were
killed in Iraq most of whom were killed by the US forces let
alone the wounded or the handicapped who have not been paid
a compensation by those forces which fortify themselves with
a Security Council resolution, regretfully.
[Al-Shibl] Thank you very much.
Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1311 gmt 4 Dec 05
IRAN
04/12/2005 Iran to launch website, TV on the occasion
of Haj pilgrimage
Text of report by Iranian daily newspaper Farhang-e Ashti website
on 3 December
The TV and internet network Labbayk [Answering the call of
God] is to be launched by the Haj and Pilgrimage Organization
on 12 Azar [3 December, as published].
According to ISNA, this TV and internet network will be opened
before the start of Haj pilgrimage. The TV is going to broadcast
programmes for three hours a day but this will be increased
to six hours a day later.
Iranian radio-TV chairman Ezzatollah Zarghami and Hojjat ol-Eslam
[Mohammad Mohammadi-]Reyshahri will be present at the opening
ceremony.
The opening ceremony will be held Saturday [3 December] morning
at the conference hall of the Radio and Television Organization.
[According to the channel's website, www.labbaik.ir, daily
broadcasts are planned from 0830-1130 and 1800-2100, local times.
The channel's live internet stream, at tv.labbaik.ir, was not
accessible on 5 December.]
Source: Farhang-e Ashti website, Tehran, in Persian 3 Dec 05
IRAQ
14/12/2005 Iraqis, Hezbollah protest Al-Jazeera's treatment
of Al-Sistani - TV
Lebanese Hezbollah TV Al-Manar carries within its 1730 gmt
newscast on 14 December a four-minute report by its correspondent
in Iraq on "angry" Iraqi reactions to the alleged
slander of Shi'i cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Al-Jazeera's
"Opposite Direction" talk show which was broadcast
on 13 December and hosted by Al-Jazeera presenter Faysal al-Qasim.
Al-Manar correspondent begins the report by saying that "massive
demonstrations" were staged in Al-Najaf, Al-Sadr City,
Basra and other places in Iraq today. The correspondent says
that the treatment of Al-Sistani "has hurt the feelings
of thousands of Iraqis who respect Al-Sistani for his role in
protecting Iraq and its political process against slipping into
chaos and civil war".
The correspondent adds that notwithstanding the tight security
measures taken in preparation for the Iraqi legislative elections
on 15 December, the demonstrators took to the streets to call
on the Iraqi government to file a lawsuit against Al-Jazeera
for "slandering" the Iraqi people's "symbols".
Following this, Al-Manar TV reports on reactions by Iraqi leaders
and officials, such as Muqtada al-Sadr and former Prime Minister
Iyad Allawi, who condemned the treatment of Al-Sistani.
At 1741 gmt, Al-Manar carries a report saying that Hezbollah
in Lebanon has issued a statement condemning the "slander"
of Al-Sistani.
The Hezbollah statement said that the "slander" is
"a deviation from values and ethics that Arabs and Muslims
in particular, and people all over the world in general, exhibit
in dealing with spiritual and religious authorities".
The statement added: "What happened in the programme is
a serious affront to the truth, objectivity, credibility and
the media code of honour."
The statement concluded by calling on Al-Jazeera Satellite
Channel to "immediately apologize" and "provide
the necessary clarification" of this rejected conduct which
"hurt the feelings of hundreds of millions of Arabs and
Muslims".
Source: Al-Manar Television, Beirut, in Arabic 1730 gmt 14
Dec 05
AFGHANISTAN
15/12/2005 Afghanistan: New satellite TV channel preparing
to launch
Text of report by Pakistani newspaper Dawn website on 15 December
Peshawar, 14 December: Afghanistan is launching a new satellite
channel for the Pashto and Dari-speaking people. "Three
satellite channels have been launched in Afghanistan since Hamid
Karzai came to power," said Shah Nawaz Janbaz, a former
head of the BBC Pashto Service in Peshawar.
Mr Janbaz has arrived from Australia to take up his assignment
as director of the new channel. He is holding meetings with
PTV officials in Peshawar to purchase dramas and other programmes
for the channel, which is to start operations in two months.
"We have already obtained licences and completed other
formalities for the channel to be based in Kabul," he said,
adding that Pakistani drama is extremely popular in Afghanistan.
PTV producer Syed Masud Ahmad Shah's dramas are widely watched
by people there, especially the young generation.
Source: Dawn website, Karachi, in English 15 Dec 05
IRAQ
15/12/2005 Iraqi TV station condemns police attack
on cameraman
Text of report by Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV on 15 December
Some Iraqi policemen have attacked Al-Sharqiyah's cameraman
Hasan Abdallah as he was performing the duty of reporting the
truth to the spectators. The incident took place as the cameraman
was filming part of an assault by a number of policemen against
polling centre officers in Al-Kindi Preparatory School in Al-Yarmuk
area at 1315 [1015 gmt today]. When the policemen realized that
their assault was filmed by an Al-Sharqiyah camera, they savagely
attacked cameraman Hasan Abdallah and the accompanying work
team, beat him up and broke his camera. This was one of the
ugliest images of degrading human and press freedom, which contradicts
all promises made by the interior minister before the holding
of the elections and this morning.
Reporting this incident to its audience, Al-Sharqiyah Television
expects the [Iraqi] Police to apologize. It also calls on the
interior minister to intervene to bring to justice the policemen
involved [in the attack] before this case is forgotten along
with other cases of human and press rights.
God be with the Iraqi individual who is subjected to the brutality
of some police members without even being able to raise his
voice if this is how they [police members] deal with the independent
national media.
Al-Sharqiyah considers this savage attack against cameraman
Hasan Abdallah, causing him bruises, as a new flagrant attack
against the independent national media. Nobody should expect
Al-Sharqiyah Television to change its national and brave approach,
regardless of the increasing pressure exercised on it by those
who are supposed to be the vanguards of law.
Source: Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 1100 gmt 15 Dec 05
IRAN
18/12/2005 Iranian cleric society condemns media war
against Iraq's Sistani
Text of report in English by Iranian TV news channel on 18
December
The Society of Lecturers in the Qom Seminary has denounced
the insulting remarks by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV network,
against Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.
In a statement, the seminary stressed that Al-Jazeera TV network,
by insulting the Shi'i clergy, is moving in line with the interests
of hegemonic powers. The society reiterated that the Shi'i senior
clerics have fulfilled their religious duty and played a historic
role in preserving the unity and integrity of Iraq and now the
enemies of the Iraqi nation have launched a media war against
them [the clerics].
Source: Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in English
1130 gmt 18 Dec 05
IRAN
18/12/2005 Iran TV says Al-Jazeera following Zionist
policies
Text of report in English by Iranian TV news channel on 18
December
In line with its policy of creating crisis in the region, Al-Jazeera
has aired a programme on the capability of Iran's attack on
US allies in the region.
Following the policies of Western media and Zionist broadcasting
corporations, in sawing discord among Muslims, Al-Jazeera TV
network, quoting an anonymous official at the Persian Gulf Cooperation
Council [as received] claimed Iran's nuclear activities have
military purposes.
Moreover, Al-Jazeera also attempted to portray Iran's nuclear
activities as dangerous for the region. It quoted the same anonymous
source as saying concerns over Iran's nuclear activities have
spread across the region.
Source: Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in English
1130 gmt 18 Dec 05
AFGHANISTAN
18/12/2005 Afghan journalist allegedly killed for outspoken
criticism of officials
Text of report in English by Afghan independent Pajhwok news
agency website
Mazar-e-Sharif, 18 December: Afghanistan's independent journalists'
body on Sunday [18 December] claimed that a television journalist
was killed last night in mysterious circumstances in the northern
city of Mazar-e-Sharif. But family and police, spurning the
version, insisted the newsman died of cardiac arrest.
The Afghan Independent Journalists Association [AIJA] said
in a press statement issued here that Ahmad Faheem Ehsan, who
presented a TV programme critical of local officials, was killed
mysteriously. It added that the family of the deceased was too
scared of the local authorities to tell the whole truth about
Faheem's killing.
Presenting "Our City, Our Home" on the state-run
television, Faheem would often spotlight weaknesses of governmental
and non-governmental organizations active in the region. His
family said the journalist died of a heart attack on his way
to hospital.
Nasruddin, a member of the family, told Pajhwok Afghan News
while standing besides the body of the journalist in Karat-e-Solh
area: "Faheem had gone to Marmul district for filing a
story and returned home at 9.00 p.m.[1630 gmt], complaining
of chest pain. He died on the way to hospital."
Sher Jan Durrani, spokesman for the provincial police, also
vehemently rejected the claim that Faheem was killed. But journalists
doubted the version that he died of cardiac arrest. Kanishka,
editor of the daily Sahar [local paper], said: "I don't
know the exact cause of his death. But if Faheem has really
been killed, it is a shock for journalists and a sign of efforts
to gag the media."
The AIJA statement also said Faheem had been beaten several
times by local officials for presenting programmes critical
of them. Rahimullah Samandar, head of the AIJA, said they had
sent an investigating team to Mazar-e-Sharif to probe the incident
and interact closely with his family. "If he has been killed,
the perpetrators have to be arrested as soon as possible,"
stressed Samandar.
Faheem's predecessor, Najibullah Qureshi, had flown to London
after he was beaten by unidentified men.
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News website, Kabul, in English 1137
gmt 18 Dec 05
IRAN
19/12/2005 Iran: Presidential directive sets out guidelines
for state broadcaster
President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad has issued a directive on the
activities of Iran's state broadcaster. The directive says that
the organization must find more effective ways to promote Islamic
values and neutralize "unsavoury foreign information dissemination".
It says "banal and Western music" should be avoided
and stresses the need for "ethical" content in feature
films and series. While stating that inadequate attention is
paid to the middle classes, it warns of a tendency towards "opulence
and promoting consumerism". The directive also says the
organization should do more to promote itself internationally.
The following is the text of a report by Iranian daily newspaper
Farhang-e Ashti website on 19 December; subheadings inserted
editorially:
The president and head of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council
has conveyed 23 strategies and solutions to the Voice and Vision
Organization [state broadcasting organization] for the qualitative
and quantitative improvement of its activities. According to
a report by Fars News Agency, the directive has been conveyed
by Mahmud Ahmadinezhad under the [reference] number "DS/3824"
after being adopted by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council.
[Punctuation as published here and throughout.] In the introduction
to the directive reference is made to the point that the Voice
and Vision Organization has a grave mission in Iran's cultural
growth and social development. Among the most important of its
duties training, disseminating news, giving guidance, providing
recreation and publicity can be mentioned.
The directive goes on to say: According to the guidelines of
His Holiness Imam Khomeyni (may God be satisfied with him) as
well as the Supreme Leader, the Voice and Vision Organization
is a public university that carries out its role as the most
important mass medium.
Research and assessment
The head of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council stresses
the point that the legislation on the Third [Five Year Economic]
Development Plan also has charged the Voice and Vision Organization
in its Articles 159 and 167 with carrying out studies and research,
sustained assessment of the effectiveness of its activities,
boosting the arts, sciences and technology, completing the population
[audience] coverage, reporting and critically analysing the
performance of the executive establishments, promoting general,
technical and professional training and so forth. He goes on
to say: The implementation of the cultural policies adopted
by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council is a further legal
and official duty of the Voice and Vision Organization.
The president continues by citing the [results of the] study
carried out by the Cultural and Academic Supervision Board into
the Voice and Vision Organization and then goes on to convey
the strategies and solutions adopted by the Supreme Cultural
Revolution Council for improving the activities of the organization.
According to Section One of the directive, the planning and
production of programmes by the Voice and Vision Organization
must be based on the results of studies and research more than
ever. Furthermore, there is a need for outside research to be
encouraged for enhancing the quality of the production and broadcasting
of programmes by the organization.
Moreover, taking into account the dearth of outside assessments
of the Voice and Vision Organization, the need has been stressed
for carrying out such assessments as well as polling the opinion
of the elite and the audiences and making use of the views of
critics in policy-making, planning, production and broadcast
of programmes. The Voice and Vision Organization has to pay
more attention in specialized domains to listening constantly
to the views from outside the organization.
Effective supervision
According to Section Three of the presidential directive, the
Supervisory Council that oversees the Voice and Vision Organization,
as a supervisory body that is governed by the three branches
of the state, must take on a more effective role in overseeing
the policies, strategies, options and assessment of the content
of the programmes and the effectiveness of the productions.
That will be within the framework of its legal duties.
The president has considered paying attention to the academic
and specialized particulars when the organization presents specialists
and university academics to be another requirement for enhancing
the qualitative level. He goes on to say: It is appropriate
that the Voice and Vision Organization audience research is
carried out in a scientific and sustained manner and programmes
should be produced on the basis of the precise understanding
of specific and general audiences, their tendencies and requirements
within the framework of the policies and strategies of the country.
The long term experience of the radio broadcasting can be considered
to a greater extent by other sectors in increasing effectiveness
among the audiences.
Islamic criteria
Paying attention to value indicators and the culture of justice,
contentedness, charity, endeavour, promotion of virtuous conduct,
encouraging the young to choose various professions, increasing
skills related to ways of living, caring for the environment,
avoiding the promotion of extravagance and wastefulness especially
in series and advertisements, observing the criteria of Islamic
culture in purchasing foreign films and series and taking notice
of the middle class stratum in Iran's society are among the
other points that the president has stressed in his directive
to the Voice and Vision Organization.
Cultural onslaught
The Seventh Section of the directive says: It is necessary
for the planners and producers of the network programmes to
consider more effective and intelligent ways for countering
the extensive dimensions of the cultural onslaught. Redoubled
efforts must be made in developing the social and cultural awareness
of the people by truly depicting the extent and positive as
well as negative values of the achievements and models of Western
culture and civilization and by the scientific and artistic
promotion of the Iranian as well as Islamic culture and civilization.
International network
A professional consideration of the open and at the same time
directed circulation of information and news and the prudent
reporting of various points of view and diverse analyses with
the purpose of informing public opinion and neutralizing unsavoury
foreign information dissemination currents and domestic rumours;
more extensive and in-depth use of the rich resources of the
Farsi language and literature and the introduction of the cultural
and literary luminaries in the form of attractive and varied
programmes for the purpose of strengthening solidarity and national
identity and honouring human and Islamic values; making use
of competent experts and young artists in the arts sector and
avoiding repetitious subjects; controlling the expenditure in
producing plays and serials and drawing up appropriate criteria
for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of programmes
on Islamic lore; extending coverage and also setting up an international
network on Islamic lore on a global level are among the other
required tasks in the directive conveyed by the head of the
administration for the activities of the Voice and Vision Organization.
From now on the organization must also include instructional
and educational points in the recreational and entertainment
programmes in an indirect, attractive and non-artificial way
with the aim of strengthening religious identity, national solidarity,
hope for life, social belief, ethical development, job creation,
new thinking and scientific insight. The organization must stress
the observance of religious edicts and Islamic customs.
Avoid Western music
Avoiding the promotion of banal and Western music and laying
emphasis on legitimate, high quality and genuine Iranian music,
promoting scientific research into music, producing and broadcasting
calming music as well as music that evokes the revolution constitute
the 11th Section of Ahmadinezhad's directives for the activities
of the Voice and Vision Organization.
Ethical cinema
The ratified decision of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council
that has been conveyed by Ahmadinezhad continues to say: The
supervision of the content of feature films and series must
be based on the determination of criteria and norms. In this
respect, making costs realistic, supporting Iran's cinema, especially
ethical cinema, extending cinematic exposition among the audiences
and avoiding the promotion of violence and banality, eliminating
extremism in the selection of films and carrying out appropriate
dubbing are stressed.
Moreover, with respect to the sports programmes of the Voice
and Vision Organization, while the beneficial effects of the
positive enthusiasms of championship sports and the promotion
of national sports and domestic as well as ethnic games are
acknowledged, promoting the proper sports culture and paying
more attention to the promotion of general sports, especially
encouraging housewives and girls to physical activity and basic
sports, paying attention to the scientific aspects of sport
and the assessment of the relevant establishments seem to be
more necessary than ever.
Children's programmes
Ahmadinezhad stresses that in children's and teenagers programmes,
the Voice and Vision Organization should benefit from an ethical
and educational model that is based on religious traditions
and should create scientific support in those programmes based
on the results of the research carried out by scientific centres
and make use of experts in education. He goes on to say: Furthermore,
focusing on the process of socializing children and youngsters,
teaching them the acceptance of responsibility and observance
of citizen's rights, assisting the children and youngsters with
their intellectual growth and development of creativity must
be strengthened.
Redoubled efforts aimed at improving the spirit of friendship
and devotion, tranquillity, security and health of Iranian families
for the purpose of reducing socio-psychological damage and domestic
violence; creating the needed measures for making programme
production competitive through creating equal opportunities
for other public and private sectors in the country; providing
reports; accountability; transparency of the organization and
creating the necessary courses of action for training committed
and religious artists and presenters through drawing up special
standards are among the duties that from now on the organization
must carry.
International audiences
Meanwhile, the Voice and Vision Organization, as the vanguard
in the free-thinking movement that is based on the teachings
of the Supreme Leader, must, by observing ethics, rationality
and freedom, pursue the policy in the political domain in other
intellectual, scientific and cultural contexts by holding debate
sessions and promote the movement by inviting prominent thinkers.
Moreover, through a process of re-engineering the organization
networks with the aim of creating competition at international
level and attracting audiences with diverse creeds, it must
try new ways provided that it observes minimum criteria and
standards and carries out quality development of the model and
official networks of the country.
Within six months
In the concluding part of the presidential directive it is
said: The Voice and Vision Organization is duty bound to adopt
the necessary measures for the proper and complete implementation
of the decisions of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council,
especially the cultural policies of the Islamic Republic of
Iran and the proposals in the present assessment and must report
the outcome to the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council within
six months.
Summary of board's findings
The following is a summary of study carried out by the Board
of Supervision and Cultural and Scientific Assessment of the
Supreme Cultural Revolution Council on which the president has
based his directive of strategies and solutions for the enhancement
of the activities of the Voice and Vision Organization:
1 - The activities of the Voice and Vision Organization, despite
the existing shortcomings, generally follow the course of realizing
the guidelines of His Holiness, the Imam [Khomeyni], (may God
be satisfied with him), and the Supreme Leader as well as the
cultural policies and have a fitting impact in Iran's cultural
and social development.
2 - The developments in the Voice and Vision Organization in
the past 10 years and the significant expansion of national,
provincial and international networks in various languages indicate
the undeniable progress and success of the organization in quantitative
development.
3 - The volume and variety of productions in various networks
for the purpose of attracting audiences in all walks of life
speak of efforts made by those in charge of this crucial mass
medium. The increasing quality of the programmes and the variety
of their subject matter, especially the attention paid to the
young and to women are praiseworthy.
4 - The Voice and Vision Organization has had significant successes
in improving the quality of the features and series produced
as historical-religious series.
5 - During the Third [Five Year Economic] Development Plan,
the Voice and Vision Organization has been relatively successful
in the production sector and audience coverage. However, audience
coverage in the border areas of the country continues to face
challenges. The organization has not made adequate efforts towards
implementing other contents of Articles 159 and 167 of the legislation
on the Third Development Plan.
6 - Studies and research within the organization have enjoyed
satisfactory growth. However, research work carried out outside
the organization on the programmes of the Voice and Vision Organization
have been few and enjoyed little impact.
7 - A policy of tendency towards opulence and promoting consumerism
in the successful serials and advertisements can be seen. These
are in contradiction with a suitable model of Iranian family
life and Islamic culture. Moreover, in the programmes of the
organization adequate attention is not paid to the middle class
that constitutes the majority of the community.
8 - The manifestation of religious values in the religious
programmes and the honouring of occasions depict a praiseworthy
policy by the Voice and Vision Organization. The quality and
extent of the introduction of religious symbols, values and
conduct as well as the educational and culture-building aspects
of such programmes are worth deliberating upon, given the masses
of young and teenage audiences.
Source: Farhang-e Ashti website, Tehran in Persian 19 Dec
05
SAUID ARABIA
23/12/2005 Saudi Arabia: Radio Jedda launches Hajj
channel
Text of report in English by Saudi newspaper Arab News website
on 23 December
Jedda, 23 December: Radio Jedda has launched the seasonal Pilgrimage
Enlightenment Radio (PER) to serve Hajj pilgrims and observers.
The PER will be transmitting religious programs in 14 languages
during the Hajj season.
Besides Arabic, the programmess will be in English, French,
Persian, Turkish, Hausa, Indonesian, Urdu, Bengali, Pashto,
Turkistani, Somali, Swahili and Bambara. The last four languages
have recently been added to the list by the Ministry of Culture
and Information as part of its efforts to ensure a wider audience
for this seasonal radio service.
The PER programmes are tailored to ensure the pilgrims' proper
orientation and enlightenment in topics related to the performance
of pilgrimage.
PER will broadcast live comprehensive coverage of Hajj, including
traffic reports, movement of pilgrims, weather conditions, safety
precautions, and interviews with experts, scholars and pilgrims.
The programme "With You On the Air" will be presented
again this year.
Besides religious programmes, the PER will broadcast live coverage
of the days of Tarwiyah [first day of Hajj], the stay at Arafat,
the Arafat Day sermon, the noon and late-afternoon prayers performed
at Nimrah Mosque, the pilgrims' movement from Arafat to Muzdalifah,
the Id prayer from the Holy Mosque, and the three days of Tashriq.
Abdullah al-Shaya, director of the second programme and PER
supervisor, said that several ministries, such as the Ministry
of Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Hajj and the Ministry of
Interior would present special programmes through the PER.
Source: Arab News website, Jedda, in English 23 Dec 05
EGYPT
24/12/2005 Egyptian TV stations carry brief reports
on Nur's prison sentence
Egyptian state-owned Channel I TV and Nile News TV reported
the news of Ayman Nur, leader of the opposition Al-Ghad Party,
being sentenced to five years in prison for forging proxies
that allowed him to establish his party, in their news bars.
In the 1000 gmt news bulletin of the locally broadcast Egyptian
Channel 1 TV, the news of Nur's imprisonment came briefly just
before the end of the bulletin. The TV showed a video of the
trial, as Nur stood behind bars, while a police officer and
a policeman were standing in front of the bars in what seemed
to be a deliberate act to prevent Nur's face from appearing
on national TV.
The news about Nur came at the end of a news brief on Nile
News TV as well, with an additional phrase referring to a statement
by Nur's lawyer saying that they would appeal the ruling. The
footage broadcast on Nile News TV showed a clearer picture of
Nur wearing white prison clothes.
Source: Channel 1 TV, Cairo, in Arabic 1006 gmt 24 Dec 05
BOSNIA
22/12/2005 State TV says Bosnian media under political,
financial pressure
Excerpt from Public Secret current affairs programme broadcast
by Bosnian public broadcaster BHTV1 on 22 December
[Presenter Amir Zukic] As it usually happens in Bosnia-Hercegovina,
the Latinica affair [Croatian TV programme which criticized
the legacy of the first Croatian president Tudjman] was understood
literally here. Despite the law that forbids politicians to
interfere in public broadcasting, the authority's pressure against
media has become increasingly obvious. Although journalist freedoms
in Bosnia-Hercegovina sometimes resemble anarchy, political,
and even more dominant financial pressure, has contributed to
the polarization of media on national [ethnic] and political
basis.
[Reporter] The pressure on Bosnia-Hercegovina's media is not
coming from the parliaments, but it does exist. These are not
physical attacks any longer or assassination attempts. Less
publicly, but equally forcefully, the centres of political power
or those enjoying their support now tend to choose tools of
financial blackmail for accomplishment of their goals.
[Dragan Jerinic, editor-in-chief of Banja Luka's Nezavisne
novine daily] What is worrying is the fact that there is a sort
of economic pressure on certain media, with some companies,
through governments and political parties, exerting influence
over the media.
[Reporter] In order for a newspaper to survive, at least 30
per cent of it needs to be reserved for advertisements, while
the advertisers are usually profitable companies frequently
influenced by ruling parties. The logic is very clear: your
economic situation will depend on what you write.
[Senad Pecanin, director of Dani weekly] We had a case several
years ago when we tried for years to get one paid advertisement
of one or two thousand marks from the Tobacco Factory, but we
did not succeed. However, when we published a series of documents
and stories about criminal activities of the Tobacco Factory
management, in several days' time we received an offer to sign
a contract for advertisements worth 300,000 marks. [Passage
omitted]
[Reporter] A direct threat to the survival of Dani followed
after an invitation of Reisu-l-ulema Mustafa effendi Ceric [head
of Bosnian Islamic Community] for advertisers not to advertise
in this and similarly oriented media due to their alleged anti-Bosniak
[Bosnian Muslim] character. Indirect financial influence was
exerted by invitations of the Islamic Community over the public
broadcasting service too, which resulted in November of last
year in a sudden drop in TV subscription fees for ten per cent.
[Passage omitted]
Frequent attempts to influence the public word have continued
to be manifested through direct threats, which are demonstrated
by 50 complaints registered on the journalists' help-line. The
latest recorded threat was made by a Sokolac judge against a
journalist of one daily. [Passage omitted]
Despite such cases, it has not happened yet that colleagues
from the total of four divided associations jointly protected
their own interests and their profession. Though unusual for
other countries, 50 lawsuits were initiated by journalists against
other journalists or media houses, frequently opposed according
to their support for certain political groups.
Radenko Udovicic, Media Plan Institute] Concerning the press,
I claim that one can judge immediately upon taking the newspapers
into their hands which national groups the newspapers favour
and which political party they support.
[Reporter] In the past two years, after the Slander Law came
into force, the cantonal and district courts received around
300 lawsuits brought by politicians and other persons against
journalists, which is three times more than in the past period.
The biggest number of lawsuits was launched against Dnevni avaz,
Slobodna Bosna [weekly] and the Federation TV.
[Bakir Hadziomerovic, editor-in-chief of the Bosnian Federation
TV 60 Minutes current affairs programme] In this moment, concerning
the court proceedings, which are around ten, I think, we have
a positive balance. We had a couple of lawsuits where the people
were too ambitious and requested one million or 500,000, etc.
We won these cases.
[Reporter] Lawsuits against journalists can be a limiting factor
for the freedom of media. On the other hand, the ombudsmen warn
that piling up of lawsuits points out frequent violations of
human rights and the ethics code.
[Mehmed Halilovic, Media ombudsmen] Even the very popular media
have demonstrated examples of lack of professionalism. Too many
adjectives are being used, heavy arms and heavy accusations,
without strong arguments. [Passage omitted]
[Reporter] Unlike courts, the Press Council receives on average
30 citizens' complaints per year. Neither the citizens nor the
media employees trust the system of printed media self-regulation.
The most read newspaper Dnevni avaz has even disputed legitimacy
of the Press Council, after the daily had been criticized for
violation of the code and publishing of a photo of a kidnapped
son of a Sarajevo sportsman when the boy's life was still in
danger. [Passage omitted]
Source: BHTV1, Sarajevo, in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 1900 gmt
22 Dec 05
LEBONAN
26/12/2005 Hezbollah-e Iran to hold nationwide congress;
satellite TV being mooted
Text of report by Iranian newspaper E'temad website on 26 December
The nationwide congress of Hezbollah-e Iran [Iran's Hezbollah]
is to be held at the end of the current year [current Iranian
year ends in March 2006] with the participation of this organization's
provincial forces and invited political and religious figures.
Speaking to ILNA [Iranian Labour News Agency], Mojtaba Bigdeli,
spokesman of Hezbollah-e Iran, added: Parts of the Hezbollah
Charter are to be approved at the congress.
He said that one of the congress's aims was to find ways to
help and assist the Basiji government of Ahmadinezhad [Basij
is a volunteer force affiliated to the Islamic Revolution Guards
Corps] and added: In view of the fact that the Basiji government
of Ahmadinezhad has come under attack from foreigners recently,
we are trying to find ways and to understand how we can help
this government.
Mojtaba Bigdeli also said the following about the [planned]
Kheybar satellite station: The station's technical work has
been finalized. We have conducted talks with two satellite providers
and the organization's secretary-general has a completely favourable
views on this subject but the central council has not declared
an explicit view in this respect yet.
Source: E'temad website, Tehran, in Persian 26 Dec 05
LONDON
02/01/2006 Leading pan-Arab TV stations reject US-based
Zogby poll on viewing figures
Text of report in English from London-based newspaper Al-Sharq
al-Awsat website on 2 January; ellipses as published
London, Al-Sharq al-Awsat: Leading Arab television stations
have expressed their anger at the findings of a poll by Zogby
International and cast doubt on its conclusion that Al-Jazeera
was the most popular channel in the region, describing them
as biased. For its part, Al-Jazeera celebrated the results and
dedicated an entire programme to a discussion of the results,
featuring Karen Hughes, the US new undersecretary for public
diplomacy and public affairs.
Zogby International, a prominent US polling company, in conjunction
with the Center for International Development and Conflict Management
at the University of Maryland recently conducted a survey in
six Arab countries to uncover the opinion of Arabs on several
important issues, including the status of media in the Arab
world. At the same time, a survey of viewing habits by the international
market research company, Ipsos Stat, which specializes in the
Middle East, revealed viewers were deserting the Qatar-based
channel, especially in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Dubai Television, Saudi TV and Future Television were amongst
a number of stations that criticized the Zogby poll as lacking
scientific basis, since these stations were not included in
the poll despite scoring high in the most regional and local
polls. A media expert indicated that the Zogby poll committed
a grave error when it neglected terrestrial TV stations, at
a time when they are enjoying larger viewing figures than several
satellite television channels, because local audiences continue
to prefer local stations and the technology was beyond the reach
of low-income households, who constitute the majority of Arabs.
The Dubai-based Al-Arabiya ridiculed the poll and accused it
of being partial and appearing to favour particular stations
and lacking in scientific methods necessary to correctly collate
viewing figures. Al-Arabiya, which came first in the poll as
the most watched second choice channel, said the questionnaire
was full of errors, including omitting Iraq, one of the most
important Arab countries for news channels.
A spokesman for the Al-Arabiya channel said: "MBC has
previously cancelled a show for James Zogby [a senior analyst
with the polling firm founded and managed by his brother John
Zogby ] and it is currently associate with Zogby International
[as published]. Therefore, we do not recognize the poll and
do not accept its results. For the second year running, we believe
it is partial." He indicated that Zogby International did
not include Iraq in its poll, despite a large section of the
population watching news programmes. When Al-Sharq al-Awsat
suggested the continuing violence could impede market research,
the spokesman indicated Zogby International had previously conducted
polls in Iraq and added: "The situation in Iraq did not
prevented Gallup International, for example, from conducting
a poll of the most popular channels in Iraq. It concluded that
Al-Arabiya was first with a considerable margin."
For its part, the prominent satellite channel Dubai Television
indicated, "it does not recognize the Zogby International
poll", describing it as "favouring certain results."
It revealed that its position amongst Arab channels had greatly
improved in recent months. It was in the lead, scoring higher
than most channels included in the Zogby poll, as an Ipsos Stat
survey showed.
A media research expert condemned Zogby International and drew
attention to errors in its early preparations, such as the choice
of channels, and in formulating questions, for example when
Al-Jazeera was mentioned first in each question. This, he said,
gave the impression the station was being singled out. He also
indicated that Zogby International should not have conducted
a poll in market it has certain interests, since James Zogby,
who is affiliated to the company, presents a weekly show on
Abu Dhabi channel and receives a salary. This contradicts the
moral code and principles of market research, he added.
Describing the results as "non-scientific", the media
expert indicated that "organizations which specialize in
viewing figures base their conclusions on specific questions
such as what programme was watched and when." Inexact questions
would annul the results, he said. As a rule, market research
companies should also investigate the results in order to allow
the companies featured in the survey to review the feedback
forms. In the case of Saudi Arabia more than 4,000 individuals
should be surveyed to ensure the sample is representative, the
expert said. However, in the case of the Zogby International
poll, only 800 were polled.
According to the Zogby survey, Al-Jazeera was the most popular
channel, followed by MBC, LBCI, Al-Arabiya, Abu Dhabi television,
Al-Manar, Egypt satellite television. Al-Hurra scored the lowest,
the poll found. Meanwhile, Ipsos Stat, in its last survey in
Saudi Arabia, found Saudi TV to be the most popular channel,
followed by MBC, the film channel MBC2, Al-Arabiya, Al-Jazeera,
Saudi sports TV and finally, Dubai TV. In its survey in Iraq,
Ipsos Stat found that Al-Arabiya enjoyed the largest audience
figures in the news category and was second in the general category
after Iraqi TV. Al-Jazeera came in sixth place.
James Zogby strenuously defended the poll results and told
Al-Sharq al-Awsat: "We did not claim that Al-Jazeera was
number one." He indicated that the questions submitted
to a sample of Arab viewers were mostly concerned with discovering
which channels they viewed to follow international news. The
determining question, Zogby said, was "Which channel do
you watch to follow international news?" Most answers mentioned
Al-Jazeera. This did not mean that those who answered Al-Jazeera
did not view other channels or that it was the only source of
world news, Zogby cautioned. "The poll took a long time
to complete. It featured all days and all times," he said,
in response to criticism.
Zogby said the poll should not be viewed as a measure of "respect
of or lack of". Instead, the survey provides an indication
of which channel viewers rely on for international news. He
added that Arab viewers, like their American counterparts, used
the remote control and switched channels and programmes. He
stressed that the poll did not aim to judge the quality of Arab
channels.
Zogby cautioned that the poll did not reveal whether certain
television influenced the opinions of its viewers, adding, "Some
people watch Saudi TV or LBCI but have negative attitudes towards
America and the situation in Iraq. This is why the US claims
that Arab viewers watch Al-Jazeera and therefore hate us or
that if they watch Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya their attitude
to Iraq is affected are perhaps unfounded."
Watching Al-Jazeera, Zogby revealed, would not necessarily
change people's view on the war in Iraq.
Asked about the absence of certain channels from the poll,
Zogby replied that Saudi TV was not incorporated in the list
because the side, which commissioned the survey, did not include
it. However, he said, "I believe Future TV was one of the
Lebanese channels when we surveyed the opinions of Lebanese
viewers... In Abu Dhabi, we asked about Dubai TV... But it was
not logical to ask about Dubai TV in Morocco, for example."
Zogby revealed the institute had previously conducted a poll
on Arab channels and would carry out another survey when it
has the chance to do so. The disputed poll only focused on the
most popular channels for world news, he said.
However, Jihad Balout, an official at Al-Arabiya, said, "With
all due respect to Zogby International, the best approach to
uncover viewing trends in the Arab world is to rely on the conclusions
of specialist organizations working on the ground", for
example Ipsos Stat which "is recognized by almost all advertising
agencies and leading television channels in the Arab world."
"Al-Arabiya was the most popular channel in Iraq while
Al-Jazeera was sixth. Al-Arabiya was also in fist place in Saudi
Arabia. How does Zogby International explain its results which
contradict the findings of market researchers who specialize
in the Arab world?"
Source: Al-Sharq al-Awsat website, London, in
English 2 Jan 06
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