11. Name: Tine Ustad Figenschou Title: Courting, Criticism, Censorship and Bombs: A Study of the Relation between the Al Jazeera Channel and the US Administration
during the War in Iraq 2003 Institution: University of Oslo Country: Norway Date: 2005 Language: English Abstract:
On the eve of the 2003 war in Iraq, the United States administration tried to re-establish friendlier relations with the Arab media. This study reviews the American public diplomacy and its communication strategies towards the Arab satellite networks, with particular emphasis on the Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel. The study further considers the degree to which these American strategies succeeded or failed. The researcher contends that the American experiences with Al Jazeera satellite channel during the 2003 war in Iraq were similar to their experiences during the 2001 war in Afghanistan. The research main findings showed that the U.S. administration lacks a comprehensive communication strategy towards Al Jazeera. This proved to be true in both conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Prior to the actual fighting, the US administration started by courting the channel, giving exclusive interviews and participating in debates. However, when the war broke up, friendly relations came to an end and turned into hostilities and acts of aggression. When Al Jazeera focused on the ugly face of both wars, the American administration reacted with criticism, threats and attempts to silence the channel.
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