78. Name: Mohammed Al Tijani Title: Satellite Channels’ News Coverage during Crises and Wars and their Role in the Formation of Public Opinion: Al Jazeera as a Case Study Institution: University of Khartoum Country: Sudan Date: 2011 Language: Arabic Abstract: This study addresses media coverage of crises and wars using Al Jazeera’s coverage of the 2008 -2009 Darfur conflict as a case study. The study examines Al Jazeera’s commitment to impartiality and objectivity in its coverage and presentation of the Darfur crisis. It also aims to expose the difficulties the channel faced while covering the crisis and how it managed to resolve them effectively. Regarding the field research, the study used a questionnaire that was distributed among a sample of 155 individuals alongside interviews conducted with Al Jazeera journalists. The results demonstrate the significant role satellite channels play in affecting events during crises and war coverage. They also showed that, although Al Jazeera was the leading Arab news channel that covered the Darfur crisis, it did not pay enough heed to the crisis in terms of duration. The exposure of disputing parties’ views lacked impartiality despite the distinction of the staff working in Darfur and their academic and professional qualifications. The study also found that Al Jazeera provided its crew with the appropriate safety gadgets required for work in conflict and war zones.
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