US to broadcast Arabic TV to Europe

[Malicious Intent]

US to broadcast Arabic TV to Europe

Three-and-a-half years after Islamic activists based in Germany allegedly helped mount the 11 September 2001 attacks, US-backed TV channel Al-Hurra expects to transmit 24-hour programming to European Muslim communities seen as potentially hostile to the US.

France and Germany, which have Western Europe's largest Muslim populations, will be a special focus for news and current affairs programmes intended to promote an American ethic of free speech and open debate, officials say.

"The 9/11 hijackers came largely from Europe. It's a significant gap that we were not broadcasting in Arabic to Europe," said Kenneth Tomlinson, chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the US agency in charge of US civilian TV and radio broadcasts overseas.

"The reason for being [in Europe] is the same as our reason for being in the Middle East: To provide a different perspective ... of America and the world," said Norman Pattiz, who chairs the broadcasting board's Middle East committee.

...

However, there has been widespread scepticism in the Arab world since al-Hurra's [who are to do the broadcasting] launch last year.

Most commentators have belittled it as little more than a US propaganda channel.

And independent experts say Al-Hurra's mass-market strategy is a risky departure from Cold War propaganda that sought to influence decision-makers rather than general audiences.

"I just don't know how effective it's going to be. A better use of resources would be to work with moderate leaders throughout the Arab world," said Nancy Snow, a propaganda expert at California State University, Fullerton.

Read the full article

[Malicious Intent]

I know how it makes me feel when the MPAA use their size to spread their propaganda and lies to the masses.

This can not work out.

Bush really needs to learn that what he views as domocracy, others see as corruption and greed. Perhaps Arabs should broadcast their values of caring for people in the community and working together for the good of the people, rather than business, to Americans. By far the vast majority of Muslims are taught that peace is the answer. Apparently not a lesson in America's bible belt.

[slum_goddess]

Bush really needs to learn that what he views as domocracy, others see as corruption and greed.

i'm not holding my breath for that. fr what i've read this weekend, it appears he believes his 'charm offensive' was successful by calling EU leaders by their first names &c. all style, no substance (and the so-called 'style' is nothing more than rah rah arrogance).