71. Name: Laurens Bielen Title: Control of Al Jazeera: The Vision of the Ruler, and No Other? Institution: Ghent University Country: Belgium Date: 2010 Language: Dutch Abstract: Al Jazeera is the most famous news channel in the Arab region, and therefore has a large influence. Appearing on the channel’s screen in a positive way has been the wish of many governments. Based on literature review, this study finds that different regimes attempt to gain control over the channel in different improper ways. After outlining the history of satellite television in the Middle East in general, and the history of Al Jazeera in particular, this study analyzes and discusses the different strategies used by regimes in the region to control Al Jazeera’s editorial policies. Some of them tried to gain control through funding, others tried to influence the processes of newsgathering and programming, while some regimes even attempted to monitor the satellite signals through which the channel transmit its content to viewers. The findings show that, overall, these strategies did not work and did have the desired results. To counter those attempts and keep its journalistic practice independent from external pressures, Al Jazeera adopted a more institutionalized approach and drafted in 2004 a ‘Code of Ethics’ to guide its professional conduct.
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