Amman, Jordan - For over a month, I've viewed both Arab and foreign television stations. In addition to al Jazzera and Al Arrabiyeh, I regularly watch CNN, BBC, and Sky. Both Arab and foreign stations have been remarkably similar in their war coverage, as if competing for live coverage, interviewees, analysis and even graphic designs. But this similarity in coverage changed dramatically with the news of the foiled terror plot on the British Airways flights.
As if they were waiting for an excuse to change, CNN, BBC, and Sky turned completely to the London-based story even though the war on Lebanon had escalated both militarily and politically. The Arab stations, by contrast, stayed on the Lebanon story with only slight reference to the London arrests.
Other than causing more hardships for travelers, it is hard to say how this case will affect the so-called "war on terror." On the one hand it shows that people with intentions on causing the most harm to western civilians are still active. On the other hand the fact that it was foiled shows that their abilities have been reduced.
The refusal of Arab media to make a major shift in their coverage should not be seen as a journalistic failure but as a political statement of sorts. What is happening to the people of Lebanon and Gaza, the issue of its injustice, raise the passion and anger of peoples in the east. This can't simply be dealt with militarily. What is needed has been repeated many times by many wise people: Without letting down on legitimate security activities, it is extremely important to address the root causes of discontent among Arabs and Muslims the world over.
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