U.S. And Arab Media Focus On Different Aspects Of Events In Middle East

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - U.S. media tend to paint a more general, more positive image of situations in Iraq, compared to what people in the Middle East might see in their news, an expert from the University of Arkansas said. This disparity could lull Americans into a false sense of security, but it also could further erode support of U.S. troops and actions among citizens of the Middle East.

Najib Ghadbian, an assistant professor of political science, is also a well-known specialist on Middle Eastern politics and U.S.-Mideast relations. Arab news networks, including Al Jazeera, often call on him to provide political commentary and to present the U.S. perspective.

Each day, many Americans tune in to CNN for the latest news on a national and international level. On the other side of the world, many Arabs likely do the same with Al Jazeera, a mainstream media outlet serving the Middle East.

On a recent day, Ghadbian checked the Web sites of both CNN and Al Jazeera to see what the big news was on each site. Al Jazeera's main story was the ruling of the International Court of Justice that the Israeli security wall was illegal and should be demolished.

CNN featured some updated information about Iraq, then dealt with more domestic issues, such as a lawsuit against McDonald's fast food restaurants, Ghadbian pointed out.

Even when the two outlets report on the same events, he said, they often paint dramatically different pictures of the situations in the Middle East.

The United States media tends to put a more positive spin on events, according to Ghadbian.

"The news stories say, 'Now the Iraqis are in charge of their own affairs,'" he said.

Meanwhile, the Arab media emphasizes whether or not the new government can provide security, basic needs and services and conduct elections in due time. Broadcasts focus on specific issues, such as the Iraqi government imposing emergency laws.

"They're saying, Where's the democracy you promised us?'" Ghadbian said. "It's not looking like the model for a democratic state to the rest of the Middle East."

He pointed out that when U.S. media outlets have asked him to speak, they wanted positive comments on the handover.

Overall, CNN and other American mainstream news networks tend to be more patriotic in their news coverage, according to Ghadbian. Much of the news reported from embedded journalists seems aimed toward the troops, in hopes of boosting morale, he said.

When reporting on the conflict in Iraq, the U.S. media is more likely to be general, focusing on what is being achieved, while the Arab media focuses specifically on insurgents and the chaotic conditions that exist there.

Al Jazeera presents a humanitarian voice, with emphasis on the living conditions of Iraqis under the chaotic circumstances in the Middle East, Ghadbian said.

"They are both reporting some aspect of the story," he pointed out. "They are just coming from different angles."

During Saddam Hussein's trial, both U.S. and Arab media outlets featured news of the legal process. The Arab media took a more suspicious, questioning stance, by focusing on possible conflicts of interest and questioning whether Hussein was being treated humanely.

"The editorials in Arab newspapers were saying, 'What a shame, not allowing him access to lawyers,'" Ghadbian said.

The U.S. mainstream media, however, offered positive comments about the fact that Saddam had been captured.

"It was all about liberation and a fair trial," he said.

According to Ghadbian, the Arab and Middle Eastern audiences are primarily unhappy with the way the situation in Iraq is going. The majority of the media opposes the U.S. intervention, and focuses on the destructive consequences of the U.S. occupation. He warns that this could have a long-term, negative impact on our future involvement in the region.