Al-Jazeera Broadcasts in English
The Arabic satellite television station al-Jazeera, demonised in parts of Washington for its coverage of Osama bin Laden and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has begun experimental broadcasts using English subtitles in the US to try to expand its influence and revenues. A spokesman for...
The Arabic satellite television station al-Jazeera, demonised in parts of Washington for its coverage of Osama bin Laden and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has begun experimental broadcasts using English subtitles in the US to try to expand its influence and revenues.
A spokesman for al-Jazeera, which is based in Qatar and is popular throughout the Arab world, confirmed yesterday that the broadcasts using English subtitles have begun in the US.
The move is aimed at finding new sources of revenue but staff believe that they have a mission to provide the context to Middle East stories they argue is often missing from Western media reports.
The chief editor, Ibrahim Hilal, told the Christian Science Monitor that "the historical context is missing" in coverage of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and other stories. He cited, as an example, stories about the Iraq crisis that fail to carry a reminder that Saddam Hussein, was armed by the West in the 1980s.
The channel is available in the US on subscription by satellite and cable but, until now, it has only been in Arabic.
An hour-long phone-in programme, dealing with religion, is now being broadcast in Arabic, with English subtitles.
If successful, the range of programmes with English subtitles will be increased.
A spokesman for al-Jazeera, which is based in Qatar and is popular throughout the Arab world, confirmed yesterday that the broadcasts using English subtitles have begun in the US.
The move is aimed at finding new sources of revenue but staff believe that they have a mission to provide the context to Middle East stories they argue is often missing from Western media reports.
The chief editor, Ibrahim Hilal, told the Christian Science Monitor that "the historical context is missing" in coverage of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and other stories. He cited, as an example, stories about the Iraq crisis that fail to carry a reminder that Saddam Hussein, was armed by the West in the 1980s.
The channel is available in the US on subscription by satellite and cable but, until now, it has only been in Arabic.
An hour-long phone-in programme, dealing with religion, is now being broadcast in Arabic, with English subtitles.
If successful, the range of programmes with English subtitles will be increased.
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