| Journalism or propoganda? by Cecilie D. Haug Allegations of acting as a propaganda tool are being levelled at Al Jazeera, the pan-Arb satellite television news station based in Qatar. The Al Jazeera news station has 35 million viewers in the Middle East, and has emerged as the most credible and lively source of news in this area during the last five years. But this reputation is suffering now that Al Jezeera appears to be enjoying the confidence of Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden has been faxing his statements exclusively to the news station, including one he is believed to have signed himself. This questions the objectivity of the news station, and makes the world wonder why Bin Laden has such confidence in Al Jazeera. The chairman Thamer Al Thani is dismissing the allegations as completely unfounded. � We think that this is a news event, and we have to cover it from a media point of view, not from a political�, he says and adds that the current situation is a test of the liberty of all journalists. �Why should you only use it in comfort and not in crisis?� he asks. The situation of Al Jezeera is similar to the situation CNN found itself in during the Gulf War, when Saddam Hussein allegedly used them to spread his views. |