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Alhurra vs. Al Jazeera

By The Washington Post

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There are, he acknowledged, differences between the policies of his current and former employer. Alhurra's reporters are told not to refer to the U.S. presence in Iraq as an occupation. Those who set off explosive devices attached to their bodies are called suicide bombers, not martyrs.

And in Iraq, Alhurra reporters "focus on more human-interest and positive stories. For instance, 'electricity has arrived in this neighborhood,' not 'this neighborhood still doesn't have electricity'," Musa said.

Musa also has to deal with the fact that some Arab politicians refuse to appear on his channels or are criticized for appearing. One member of the Jordanian parliament who agreed to be on Alhurra in August was criticized for appearing opposite an Israeli.

Overall, however, Musa said news judgment at Alhurra is not very different from that of Al Jazeera. Last month, on the day Musa was being interviewed, Al Jazeera began its 5 p.m. newscast with video of violence in Najaf that was almost identical to the scene Musa picked to lead his program.

The Alhurra program's two anchors were positioned in front of a blue map of the Middle East in the Springfield, Va., studio. During that day's broadcast, one of Al Jazeera's female anchors wore a head scarf. Alhurra's anchors were dressed in modern business attire.

Both stations used a classical form of Arabic in presenting the news. But unlike Al Jazeera, Alhurra didn't sign off with the traditional Islamic greeting assalamu alaikum or "peace be upon you."

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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