Americans are used to having multiple English-language news sources available on demand as world events unfold. This was certainly the case during the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and the Pentagon. However, when American military operations began in Afghanistan on October 7, coverage of events inside the Taliban-controlled areas of the country was extremely limited. The only continuous news feed out of the country was that of Al-Jazeera.
Al-Jazeera Net
Al-Jazeera Net is based in Doha, Qatar, and is owned by the Emir of Qatar. The word Al-Jazeera, or more properly Al-Jazirah, means "the island," but is also translated in this context as "the peninsula."
For years the only available continuous television news service available in the region was CNN, an English language service. For Arabic speakers, there was no comparable option. Although there are Arabic-language news services available by satellite in the region, none offer 24-hour continuous coverage.
Afghanistan presents a unique challenge for news agencies. The radical Taliban organization will not permit most Western news agencies into the country. Two organizations that have gained access and permission to broadcast are Al-Jazeera and Al-Manar, an outlet of the Lebanese Resistance Movement, the military arm of Hizballah.
Al-Jazeera's coverage of ongoing military operations in Afghanistan are usually the only source available to the outside world. For that reason, the service's images are consistently rebroadcast by a variety of international news services. Since the sound track, in Arabic, is not usually carried by Western agencies, there is little concern for how the operations are being characterized.
However, popular opinion in the region is very important, especially in regards to the American-led war on terrorism. How Al-Jazeera reports events in Afghanistan directly impacts on the United States' ability to garner support for the coalition. This will be even more important when the focus of Operation Enduring Freedom shifts to an Arab country, such as Iraq, Sudan, or Yemen.
The U.S. government is concerned that Al-Jazeera's reporting may be inaccurately reflecting American foreign policy and jeopardizing the fragile coalition built by President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Washington was not pleased with what appeared to be Al-Jazeera's willingness to provide wanted terrorist Usamah Bin Ladin with a propaganda organ. Al-Jazeera has already aired several videotapes by the terrorist.
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