Al Jazeera and Alhurra: A Case Study

Al-Jazeera

Al-Jazeera’s history starts in 1996 when the BBC’s Arabic newscasts for Orbit Communications were stopped by the Saudi government.

The resulting vacuum was filled by the new Emir of Qatar – Hamad bin Khalifa al- Thani. He established Al-Jazeera (The Island). The Emir promoted freedom of speech in the Arab states and the new channel he argued was to play a key role in this mission.

Those who worked for the BBC Arabic Service made up the Al-Jazeera team. The profiles below give an overview of the Al-Jazeera audience.

“Despite its dependence on the state, Al Jazeera regularly criticizes Arab regimes, including Qatar's. For example, when a coup to depose the emir was foiled in February 1996 and the plotters put on trial, proceedings were televised live on Al Jazeera - a first in the Arab world. Al Jazeera's viewers had a front-row seat when the defence counsel claimed that the defendants had been subjected to torture, and when a spokesman from Amnesty International who had been invited to attend the trial attacked the Qatari criminal justice system. Talk shows on Al Jazeera have discussed whether it was right or wrong for Qatar to host an American air base. At the height of the intifada and in the run-up to the war in Iraq, when America's allies were being hounded in the Arab world, politicians, guests, and callers frequently attacked Qatar on Al Jazeera.”

Source: Miles, H. (2006). Think Again: Al Jazeera. Foreign Policy, July/August.

The profiles below give some insight into the Al-Jazeera audience.

Al Jazeera Audience Profile by Income

Amount in Saudi Riyal: $1 USD = 3.7 SR

Al Jazzera Audience by Age

Al Jazeera Audience Profile By Religion

Source: http://www.allied-media.com/aljazeera/JAZdemog.html

Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa

Not all Arab media are run from the Pan Arab states. Some, like Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa are funded from the United States and are popular among youth. Modern Arab children and youth, therefore, have access to a diversity of media and use them.

Alhurra TV means ‘The Free One’. It is operated by non-profit corporation The Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN). Radio Sawa is a 24-hour Arabic-language network that began in 2002. Its broadcasts originate from studios in Washington and Dubai, U.A.E. and other news offices. MBN and Radio Sawa are financed by the United States Congress. MBN and Radio Sawa receive the US funding from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), technically an independent body.

Unduplicated Weekly Reach of Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa

Source: BBG, MBN and Radio Sawa

Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa Weekly Audiences by Country

Source: BBG, MBN and Radio Sawa

Alhurra Viewing Trends (2005-2008)

Source: BBG, MBN and Radio Sawa