From Deseret News archives:
U.S., Arab media see news differently
Lebanese journalist says both views are one-dimensional
In America, news reports showed Iraqi men and women dancing in the street as Saddam Hussein's statue fell. But in Iraq, broadcasts focused on the dead bodies of civilians.
"At times, the Arab and Americans appeared as if they were covering two different wars," Lebanese journalist Hisham Melhem told a group of students Wednesday at the University of Utah's Middle East Center.
That dichotomy, Melhem said, exemplifies how both countries' media present a one-dimensional view of the other and obstruct the path to diplomacy.
"They only give a sliver — a slice — of the whole picture," said Melhem, the Washington Bureau Chief for the Lebanese newspaper al-Safir.
Part of the problem, Melhem added, is that journalists in Arab countries are still struggling for independence beneath governments that operate nearly 80 percent of the 150 existing Arab channels.
In Baghdad, for example, Melhem said, many Iraqis were surprised with how quickly the city fell to U.S. troops because Arab news reports told viewers the Army would not be able to take the city.
"The news agencies lack independent, verifiable sources of information," he said. "Even private media does not mean free or independent media. The Minister of Information is the one who appoints the editors."
That censorship, Melhem added, is focused on mobilizing citizens to support dictatorial regimes. And while many newspapers are allowed to editorialize about government leaders, they are not allowed to present any facts that may impugns reigning officials.
Such filtering, he said, often leads to a "false liberalism and contrived objectivity" among Arab media.
But Melhem is quick to point out that the proliferation of access to media outlets is broadening the Arab view of the world. Most citizens, however, still lack access to television broadcast, with an average of only 275 television sets per 1,000 people. In Syria, that average sinks to only 68 televisions per 1,000 people.
"This is a new phenomenon," he said. "Satellite TV has created a new public sphere for debate and dialogue."
The world focus on Iraq since the U.S. troops entered the country has also helped remove some censorship, Melhem said, because leaders know outside media groups will report the facts. Although Melhem said he does not support the war with Iraq, the scrutiny of government actions may be a worthwhile outcome.
"Maybe when you do something as huge and breathtaking as toppling a regime, it creates a different dynamic and it leads to something. I'll take it." Melhem said. "These people knew the whole world was watching so it's become very difficult for these rulers to conduct business as usual."
But the Arab media are not alone in presenting a one-sided view of the war, Melhem said. U.S. reports are also riddled with misconceptions about the Arab nations, he said.
One of the greatest untruths is that American media tend to lump all Arabs into the same category, he said.
"You cannot reduce the Arabs to one ethnicity. We are as black as they come and as white as they come. This is a world of many different colors."
E-mail: estewart@desnews.com
