Information AboutAlhurra |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ALHURRA | |
| american television networks | |
| arab world media | |
| arabic-language television stations | |
| television channels and stations established in 2004 | |
Alhurra (-based Satellite TV channel, sponsored by the U.S. Government . It began broadcasting on February 14 , 2004 in 22 countries across the Middle East . U.S. Government sources generally refer to the channel as '''Al-Hurra'''; however, many Arabs (skeptical of the US government's intentions) often pejoratively corrupt this to '''Al-Kharra''' ("the piece of shit"). Like all forms of U.S. Public Diplomacy , the station is forbidden from broadcasting within the U.S. itself under the 1948 Smith-Mundt Act . PRIMARY PURPOSE Although its express purpose is to counter the Biases that the United States government perceives in the Arab world's News Media (specifically from Qatar -based Al Jazeera and United Arab Emirates -based Al Arabiya ), Alhurra has pledged to provide Fair And Balanced News . FUNDING The budget for its first year was US$ 62 million, and $40 million more for an Iraq -specific station. $652 million has been requested for international broadcasting in 2006, which would include specific coverage for European Arabs. This network is operated by a non-profit organization called The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc., which in turn is funded by the Broadcasting Board Of Governors (BBG). The BBG, formerly known as the United States Information Agency (USIA), is primarily known for operating and funding Voice Of America and Radio Free Europe , among others.
Operations are based in the community of Springfield in Fairfax County , Virginia near Washington, D.C. CONTENT Alhurra’s broadcasts are targeted at the general public, particularly toward those who are under the age of 30. Its programming is varied and includes news, documentaries and entertainment. Alhurra's content has led some observers to describe the channel as "pro-American", "boring" or "a bland Lebanese station" (reflecting the primary ethnic make-up of its staff). While the station claims to be a part of a campaign to reduce the level of Anti-American Sentiment in Arab countries, it also claims not to be an expressly pro-American organization or a Propaganda outlet, and has declared its intention to be as unbiased as possible. The journalists associated with Alhurra consciously avoid the use of Loaded Terminology . For example, Suicide Bombers are not described as Martyrs — a popular description in many Arabic news organizations. It should be noted, however, that the station’s news coverage is heavily weighted with statements made by American officials. U.S. President George W. Bush ’s speeches are broadcast, sometimes taking up most of the news broadcast time. U.S. military officials are frequently interviewed whenever events occur in Iraq, and Israeli officials often appear to speak on events in southern Lebanon and Palestine . As of 2005 , polling data on Alhurra's viewership levels is somewhat contradictory. A BBG-commissioned, seven-country survey showed that 29 percent of the adult satellite-viewing audience had tuned in to Alhurra during one week in April 2005 . However, a Zogby International survey done in June 2004 found that none of the surveyed Arabic audiences turned to Alhurra as a first choice for news, and only 3.8% picked it as a second choice. A poll of satellite users in the greater Cairo area found that over 64% felt Alhurra was not a trustworthy news source, while 86% and 67% considered al-Jazeera and CNN, respectively, to be trustworthy.http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2005/Nov/baylounyNov05.asp Alhurra recently purchased a one-year package of 45 BBC Worldwide documentary and current affairs programs in an effort to boost ratings.http://www.diplomatictraffic.com/debate.asp?ID=494. The top executives at Alhurra do not speak Arabic. ABC News reported: "That left decisions over al Hurra's content in the hands of its reporters and producers, who are, according to {Link without Title} Blaya, hastily-hired Arabic-speaking journalists with insufficient understanding of Western journalistic practices or the network's pro-Western mission."http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/05/us_government_g.html Blaya, a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, was testifying in May 2007 before a subcommitte of the House Foreign Affairs Committee . The hearing was prompted by revelations that, on several occasions, Alhurra had broadcast Terrorist messages, including "a 68-minute call to arms against Israel is by a senior figure of the terrorist group Hezbollah ; deferential coverage of Iran ian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 's Holocaust Denial Conference ; and a factually flawed piece on a splinter group of Orthodox Jews who oppose the state of Israel...."http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/05/us_government_g.html Blaya assured the subcommittee that the problems were being addressed. {Link without Title} SCHEDULE Alhurra broadcasts 24 hours a day, and, similar to other BBG-owned properties and American Public Broadcasting networks like NPR and PBS , is largely Commercial -free. In addition to shows the network produces itself, it has broadcast Arabic- Subtitle d versions of programs familiar to U.S. (and global) audiences, such as '' Frontline '' and '' Inside The Actors Studio ''. A dedicated version of the channel called Alhurra Iraq is broadcast on the Nilesat 101 satellite.http://www.lyngsat.com/nile101.html NORMAN PATTIZ 's Center for Middle East Public Policy until 2005. The Wall Street Journal (and RadioInkhttp://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=131956) reports that Westwood One founder Norm Pattiz, who launched the US government's Arabic-language media outlets, Radio Sawa and Alhurra Television, has resigned from the governing board that funds and oversees the projects. A Clinton appointee, Pattiz had served on the Broadcasting Board Of Governors since 2000. In his resignation letter to President Bush, Pattiz said the two ventures are now "reaching mass audiences previously unheard of for US international broadcasting in that region of the world." Pattiz said that he wants to devote his time to other ventures and that his decision to quit the BBG had "nothing to do with politics." SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS NOTES REFERENCES
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