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UAE-based channels hog the limelight
ABU DHABI The onset of the second Gulf War in Iraq has provided the much-needed shot in the arm for burgeoning Arabic satellite channels to boost their credibility and their ratings, as serious digital networks contending for the attention of Arab and international audiences, some networks told Khaleej Times yesterday.
While the Afghan War in late 2001, was only broadcast by Qatar-based Al Jazeera television network and a smattering of Arab channels, in addition to CNN, the mushrooming of regional Arabic satellite channels has ensured that the present hostilities are being covered extensively by any channel that stakes a claim to shaping public opinion.
Abu Dhabi TV, having covered the Afghan War in 2001, has about 40 correspondents in Iraq on the war front.
According to Nart Bouran, Director of News, the network has carved a niche for itself in the present war, with about 120 broadcasters across the world, picking up its footage, and airing it over their channels. The channel carved out a niche for itself as it aired several live reports and shots from Umm Qasr as the US-British helicopters deployed vehicles and troops near the port town before seizing it.
"Our station in Baghdad with three correspondents and a large support staff have done a commendable job presenting a balanced view of the war, they are all seasoned and reputed professionals," he said dismissing comments that the channel was indulging in 'sensationalism'.
"This is a sensational kind of war, we have 24-hour coverage of everything going on, the story falls upon you, you have to report it. Overall, I believe the Arab satellite channels have come into their own in this war, and given CNN and others a run for their money," he said.
He said with the media industry blossoming, there was access to video phones, mobile satellite trucks, possibilities to zoom from Baghdad to Washington to Kuwait and Israel in minutes, which gave the TV viewer a ringside view of the war. He added that the aim of the channel, was to cater not just to the Arab audiences, but to just about anyone interested in objective news, which was what it promised to deliver. The channel has sunk in the best of logistical and technical expertise on the war coverage this time, and has access to 'embedded' pictures and news.
Security was an issue, which he said did not overly concern the newsmen, all eager to be the first to get the story!
"Very often they don't tell us what dangers they are working with, and so although we do our best to ensure safety of our tean, this is a risky business," he said.
Whereas earlier, Arab audiences had to contend themselves with watching Al Jazeera's footage, today there are many dissidents, who claim the channel is a 'maverick' and 'sensationalist', and are quickly switching loyalties to the more restrained Al Arabia and Abu Dhabi TV.
According to Salah Negem, Director of News of the one-month old "Al Arabia" channel, there is something challenging and simultaneously poignant about covering a war.
"We have over 22 war correspondents now based in and around Baghdad, in Kuwait, in Mosul and Basra, who are sending news and images minute by minute, and we even have some who are accompanying the American troops. We try to project as balanced a picture of the war as we can. We have our offices in the US, London and Moscow, which also help," he said, admitting that covering a war was a daunting challenge to a network in its infancy.
The war was more chilling than projected on TV, with dire humanitarian consequences, and disasters to life and property, often ignored in the frenzied media blitzkrieg, he pointed out.
"When covering a war, you have to work like an army, preparing for months and expecting it to continue for years, even while anticipating the eventuality that it could end tomorrow," Mr Negem said.
He expressed delight at the positive ratings the channel had received so far, stating that they must be certainly doing something right.
Asked about the competition, Mr Negem said it was not a worry at this stage, as more channels covering the war meant more information flow.
"Although people say a lot of things about Al Jazeera, I think it is they who pioneered war coverage, taught the others what to do. But Abu Dhabi TV and Al Arabia are doing well too, as are LBC and Future TV, bringing us some interesting developments," said Tahseen Mohanna, a marketing professional in the capital.
"It is heartening that today we have so many options to following the war, particularly with CNN sounding more and more like an American mouthpiece, the Arabic satellite channels are covering the war effectively, Al Arabia is my personal favourite, the sources that the correspondents choose to interview are qualified people, who have sound views.
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