Alhurra

From Public Diplomacy

Alhurra (Arabic for "The Free One") is a commercial-free Arabic-language satellite television channel for the Middle East devoted primarily to news and information. In addition to reporting on regional and international events, the channel broadcasts discussion programs, current affairs magazines and features on a variety of subjects including health and personal fitness, entertainment, sports, fashion, and science and technology. Alhurra is dedicated to presenting accurate, balanced and comprehensive news.

[edit] Hearings

November 10, 2005 Joint Hearing with the Broadcasting Board of Governors before the Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Video (Real Player required)]. Transcripts: Kenneth Tomlinson, BBG Chairman; Mouafac Harb, News Director, Middle East Broadcasting Networks; Andrew Kohut, Director of the Pew Research Center for The People & The Press.

[edit] Controversy

In June, 2008, following a highly critical investigative review of Alhurra by ProPublica and 60 Minutes, controversy arose over the management, oversight, programming, and contracting practices of the network. The review cited problematic oversight as a result of network president Brian Conniff’s lack of Arabic language skills, and Alhurra news director Daniel Nassif’s lack of journalism credentials prior to taking the position.

The piece also highlighted controversial programming on the network, alleging that it, “has aired anti-American and anti-Israeli viewpoints, has showcased pro-Iranian policies and recently gave air time to a militant who called for the death of American soldiers in Iraq.”[1] A subsequent ProPublica article revealed that Alhurra had made payments to former Bush and Clinton administration officials, and had paid, “lobbyists and high-profile Washington journalists tens of thousands of dollars in U.S. taxpayer money to appear on the network as commentators.”[2]

As a result of the controversy, the ranking member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), called for a Congressional investigation and oversight hearings of the network on June 24th, 2008.

[edit] Further Reading

Alhurra Paid Former White House Aides, Washington Journalists, ProPublica, June 24, 2008
Rep Calls for Investigation of Alhurra, ProPublica, June 24, 2008
Struggling Against al-Qaeda on the Airwaves, The Washington Post, June 24, 2008.
Lost in Translation: Alhurra—America’s Troubled Effort to Win Middle East Hearts and Minds, ProPublica, June 22, 2008.
U.S. Network Falters in Mideast Mission, The Washington Post, June 23, 2008.
El-Nawawy, Mohammed (2006). US Public Diplomacy in the Arab World: The News Credibility of Radio Sawa and Television Alhurra in Five Countries. Global Media and Communication, 2(2): 183-203.

[edit] Links

Alhurra Web site (English version)