ABSTRACT
Across the world, the word Al-Jazeera has become synonymous with war. Since the station’s emergence on the global media scene in 1996, the Qatar-based satellite station has been the go-to channel for conflict coverage from the Middle East. As Al-Jazeera reaffirms its position as a top transnational news organization, its coverage of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has catapulted it into a prominent position and stirred much international controversy, placing its approach to journalism in the spotlight. Despite having had reporters arrested, licenses rescinded, bureaus closed, and offices bombed, Al-Jazeera’s audience figures continue to soar. Why does Al-Jazeera’s brand of journalism draw so much attention, debate, and controversy? No evaluation of Al-Jazeera and its operations is coherent or complete without a close look at the media landscape from which the network emerged.
