Al-Jazeera Co-founder Takes Risks
By Merynn Ito
Media coverage in the Middle East and President Bush's plan for democracy in Iraq were just two of the wide array of topics when Omar al-Issawi, cofounder of the Arabic news network al-Jazeera, spoke to students on Oct. 22 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
More than 100 students and faculty attended the informal question-and-answer-session, during which al-Issawi provided an insider's perspective on issues facing the Arab world.
A reporter and producer for the network created in 1996, al-Issawi said al-Jazeera's goal was to provide an accurate, objective and fair account of the news.
Al-Jazeera takes an active interest in Middle Eastern affairs because that area has been deprived of independent broadcasting for so long, al-Issawi said. Al-Jazeera is one of only a handful of networks free from censorship and government control in the Middle East.
In many Arab countries, freedom of the press is a luxury most journalists only dream of. Al-Issawi said the media operated in very restrictive environments where they often were regarded with suspicion, harassed and even killed.
"Western journalists know they have their countries backing them, but we don't have such governments that ask about our fates," al-Issawi said. "We take a lot of risks."
But the threats don't stop the Arab journalists, al-Issawi said, because they are frustrated with the political oppression plaguing their countries and are determined to provide for their viewers an uncensored account of the news.
Al-Issawi also criticized President George Bush's plan for democracy in Iraq. Although Bush was doing a "good thing" by trying to improve the situation in Iraq, al-Issawi said it would be difficult to accomplish without dealing with neighboring countries such as Syria and Jordan.
"It's impossible to have an island of tranquility in a sea of madness," al-Issawi said. "But there is a chance."
Al-Issawi said change would be a slow and gradual process. But the Iraqi people are a great people, and they are taking advantage of the changes and trying to push for more, he said.
Several times during his talk, al-Issawi encouraged audience members to read the Arab Human Development Report. Released annually, its objective is to build human development in the Arab world.
Al-Issawi cited figures from the 2003 report while criticizing the United States' tightened security policies, part of the "war on terrorism." According to the report, the number of Arab students studying in the United States dropped 30 percent between 1999 and 2002. Al-Issawi attributed this decrease to the increased security measures and red tape.
The Arab Human Development Report specifically cited the United States as one of the countries that has allowed these security measures to infringe on people's liberties. According to the report, "these measures and policies, however, exceeded their original goals and led to the erosion of civil and political liberties in many countries, notably the United States."
Al-Issawi experienced the security measures firsthand when he came to the United States. He said he waited two-and-a-half months for his visa to clear, then was interrogated for three-and-a-half hours at the Washington Dulles International Airport.
"It was the most humiliating experience of my life," al-Issawi said.
Al-Issawi also criticized news coverage in the United States. He said he had been in the United States for 17 days and did not see anything that would constitute news on television.
"I've been looking for news on TV and haven't been able to find it," he said.
Al-Issawi said he believed the poor news coverage put U.S. citizens at a disadvantage, leaving them unable to make informed opinions.
"This is not news," al-Issawi said, referring to shows such as CNN's "Crossfire" and "Larry King Live."
Al-Issawi became interested in journalism in 1987 during the Lebanese war. He said he witnessed the war firsthand but saw that the news reports presented an inaccurate picture. He said he wanted to change people's perceptions by showing them the reality of war.
Al-Issawi said the images he saw were sometimes difficult to stomach, but he added, "you get desensitized."
"After really tough situations, I feel a part of me has died," al-Issawi said. "But it's also motivation to continue."
Despite the risks he takes, the discrimination and restrictions he faces and the gruesome images he sees, al-Issawi remains committed to what he does.
"It's the path we chose," he said. "It takes a toll on us, but we're very proud of what we do."
Nikki Gollner, a sophomore news-editorial major, said the session was an eye-opener.
"It made me have a different opinion about our news coverage here," she said.
Gollner also said it made her realize Americans led a very sheltered life.
"We're hearing about wars in Iraq and Palestine - places where we have our troops," she said. "But we never hear about the wars that are happening in other countries."
Joe Starita, an associate professor in the journalism college, said he agreed with al-Issawi's criticism that Americans get very little international news from their TV broadcasts. It reflects the media's growing obsession with the trivial, the infotainment phenomenon, Starita said.
"Britney Spears and Laci Peterson command much more air time than serious subjects occurring all over the world," he said.
Al-Issawi also gave a lecture over similar material in the university's Kimball Recital Hall later on Oct. 22.
Security was tight - both at the question-and-answer-session and at the lecture. Backpacks were prohibited, and purses were searched. UNL police officers were at both events.
"There were some safety concerns because he (al-Issawi) was an international visitor," said Linda Shipley, associate dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
But Shipley said the concern eased when campus police spoke with al-Issawi's contact agent and discovered the TV producer had spoken at other college campuses in the United States without any major problems or opposition.
Shipley said she was not aware of any threats made to al-Issawi's safety during his stay in Lincoln.
The College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, Nebraska Press Association and Nebraska Broadcasters Association sponsored the event.
