Shawn Powers

Al-Jazeera English and Global News Networks: Clash of Civilizations or Cross-Cultural Dialogue?

This article examines the role of the global news media in either furthering the balkanization of the global news environment or moving towards a globally connected and engaged aggregation of publics. Drawing on the results of a six-country study of media viewing habits, cultural, political and cognitive dispositions of viewers of Al-Jazeera English in comparison to viewers of CNN International and BBC World, the authors outline two findings: (1) viewers worldwide turn to particular broadcasters to affirm rather than inform their opinions, meaning the global news media are likely to reinforce existing attitudes and stereotypes of cultural ‘others’; and (2) the longer viewers have been watching Al-Jazeera English, the less dogmatic they are in their thinking and thus more open to considering alternative and clashing opinions. The authors conclude by arguing that, when media jettison the principles embodied in ‘war journalism’, broadcasters can indeed have a latent yet substantial impact on fostering cross-cultural understanding and reconciliation.

Al-Jazeera English: A conciliatory medium in a conflict-driven environment?

Launched in November 2006, Al-Jazeera English (AJE) stands out amongst its competitors and is considered by many an anomaly when it comes to its journalistic code and identity. AJE is neither dominated by geopolitical nor commercial interests, and is the first of its kind to have the resources, mandate and journalistic capacity to reach out to typically ignored audiences throughout the world. This study argues that AJE’s model of journalism offers an alternative to today’s mode of news journalism that continues to encourage stereotypical attitudes towards cultural ‘others’. Not only has AJE’s programming represented a fresh break from the traditional news agenda, but audiences around the world found AJE to work towards a conciliatory function, based on a typology of a conciliatory media developed here. These findings point to the possibility of a global news broadcaster that can bring diverse audiences together and encourage dialogue, empathy, responsibility and reconciliation.

The Public Diplomacy of Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera is one of the most important news organizations in the world today. This chapter suggests that the Arab network also functions as a significant political actor in the international sphere with a clear agenda and means to accomplish it. Moreover, the study further argues that Al Jazeera has adopted two discreet roles: internal and external. The internal is exemplified by the network’s initiation of discussion on controversial and taboo topics in the Arab and Muslim public sphere, as well as by its continued scrutiny of Arab regimes. The external role is exemplified by Al Jazeera’s claims to represent to the world Arab and Muslim perspectives on regional and international events. It manages the images and representations that much of the West draws on when thinking of the Muslim world, as well as its coverage of political events of geopolitical importance to Western nations, such as the war in Iraq and the Palestinian-Israeli violent confrontation (Second Intifada). Al Jazeera’s self-adopted dual roles have won considerable support for the network in the Arab street, but also severe criticism from many circles.

The Origins of Al Jazeera English

What precipitates the launch of a global news network is an important question for international communication and globalization research and for anyone seeking to understand how news organizations work in the new global media environment. The early motivations often determine the reach, mission, journalistic culture, and longevity of any global media endeavor. And global news—the Al Jazeera Network, the BBC World Service, CNN International, Voice of America (VOA), to name just a few—represent the bedrock and most publicly recognized means of international communications.

Cybersecurity and spam: WCIT and the future

Various proposals for treaty provisions to increase international cooperation to improve cybersecurity and to combat spam were opposed by various countries (in particular the United States) during the ITUs 2012 World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) in Dubai. For this and other reasons, a large block of developed countries did not sign the treaty approved in Dubai. This situation creates uncertainty regarding cooperation with respect to security issues and can lead to a continuation of unilateral, and extraterritorial, assertions of national powers, including surveillance and cyberw arfare. Yet there are continued calls for cooperation, in particular at the bilateral level. This paper provides background information and analysis, suggesting possible ways forward.

Al Jazeera English as a Conciliatory Medium

Launched in November 2006, Al Jazeera English (AJE) is considered by many an anomaly when it comes to its journalistic mission and identity. It stands out from its competitors in that it presents a challenge to the existing paradigms guiding international news broadcasters. It is neither dominated by geopolitical nor commercial interests, and is the first of its kind to have the resources, mandate, and journalistic capacity to reach out to typically isolated and ignored audiences throughout the world. It both represents a challenge to “the myth of the mediated center,” while also providing a test case for examining the conciliatory potential of a global satellite channel.1

Conceptualizing radicalization in a market for loyalties

The purpose of this analysis is to locate radicalization – the process of developing extremist ideologies and beliefs – in the broader context of strategic actors (e.g. states) competing for legitimacy in transnational public spheres. Radicalization is distinct from both terrorism and violent extremism, though it is often a precursor to the use of terrorist tactics and can be critical for creating broad support for extremist movements and behaviors. The primary concern here is not terrorism per se, but rather how strategic actors compete to radicalize communities against the established organs and apparatuses of a given society. Borrowing from Price’s (1994) model of the market for loyalties, the author proposes that radicalization is best understood as within the context of the nation-state system, shaped by the existence of unsanctioned, typically foreign information flows. Governments are increasingly intervening into this space, both to shore up loyalty among their domestic citizenry and to engage foreign citizens in ways that weaken their allegiances to their own governments. Emerging media technologies provide new structures for ideological transfer, enabling states and non-state actors to compete for influence in a more balanced, transnational, ideational playing field. The stakes are significant, of course, with citizens clamoring for more transparent, fair and efficacious governance and increasingly threatening the legitimacy of states around the world.