ࡱ > [ k bjbj77 . U\U\k b b b b b v v v v $ v ' $ b b b ^ b b g0b 0 ^ 0 ' c " c c b i t m e ' c J ( : INCLUDEPICTURE "cid:image001.jpg@01C64821.BA2D00F0" \* MERGEFORMATINET What influence has AL JAZEERA on Arab public opinion ? Mr. Wadah Khanfar, Director General of Al Jazeera Network Brussels, 30 May 2006 Rsum of the Q & A session During the Q & A session, Mr. Khanfar made interesting comments on the role of Al Jazeera in revealing the root causes of events. Mr. Khanfar admitted that the channel could have done more to sort out the causes of 9/11 before the attacks. In fact, bringing a profound analysis of the situation requires a dialogue with ordinary people, as Al Jazeera did in Iraq and Palestine. Organising open discussions, focussing on all aspects of an event and bringing programmes to understand the society is of outmost importance, according to Mr. Khanfar. As for the English language service - Al-Jazeera International- Mr. Khanfar noted that one of the aims of the English channel will be to try and bring better understanding of each other's positions. It is not going to be a one-sided channel. Due to technical problems, it is not yet ready for takeoff. It is the most complex project technically ever attempted in TV terms, with the four high definition broadcast centers. On the Islam in the West and the frustration of the Arab World, he commented that Al Jazeera has a role to play. Al Jazeera calls for a dialogue between muslims and non-muslims and tries to increase the understanding of all issues. We have open discussions and we feel that this approach is important for everyone. Are minorities issues covered in Egypt? Mr. Khanfar first clarified the notion Arab World. This includes not only the Islam world, but it also refers to people with other religions. The channel gives a platform to minorities, such as the Christians in Egypt, to express their opinion, he said. Yes, there are sometimes tensions, but people can speak feely! Asked for the future role of Al Jazeera, Mr. Khanfar gave a clear message that media should be free and must be aware of its responsibility of creating images of people. Journalists should work in a free environment without commercial or political constraints. He referred to the fact that the tv station covered the real war in Iraq and Afghanistan from the ground. He emphasised that Al Jazeera did not followed an anti-American strategy nor propagated Al Qaeda. The channel has never been the favourite if governments. Criticism was always political. Finally, he reiterated that Al Jazeera gives a voice to the people. Through the channel, a lot of discussion between Kurds and Iraqis for example was possible. Report made by Vanlauwe I L M N P Q R X g i j q r t ȳxfQ> %h(} 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ mH sH (h h(} CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ mH sH "h(} CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ mH sH "h(} CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ mH sH %h(} 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ mH sH +ha h(} 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ mH sH (h` h(} CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ mH sH hiV $j h h(} 5OJ QJ U^J h h(} 5OJ QJ ^J $j h h(} 5OJ QJ U^J M O P Q R t ] [ S S S S S $a$gd(} kd8 $$If T F 0 # t 0 6 4 4 l a p yt T $$H$ If a$gd l ( & ' yqiaiaiYiqQqiqiai h(} mH sH h: mH sH h