ABSTRACT

The Arab information ministers’ attempt in August 2001 to formulate a media strategy to effectively publicize to the world the intifada to counterbalance biased Israeli coverage and to combat media deception amounted to little more than lip service. In some ways, Al Jazeera has been acting as a counter-force, albeit on a smaller scale and with a smaller audience, to the pro-Israel reporting on the intifada. In spite of Al Jazeera’s claims to provide balanced coverage, some critics and viewers question the objectivity of the channel. In spite of Al Jazeera’s claims to provide balanced coverage, some critics and viewers question the objectivity of the channel. Others criticize Al Jazeera on grounds that its coverage of the intifada has helped stoke the violence, incite Palestinians to riot, fuel Arab anger, and mobilize support for the Palestinians.