Jim Krane. Associated Press.
This week, the satellite network Al-Jazeera got two exclusives
from militants:
A video of a kidnapped American and an audiotape from Osama bin
Laden.
Does that make Al-Jazeera a mouthpiece for terrorists?
Read the
full transcript of Nepali Maoist leader Prachanda's
Exclusive interview
With the BBC's Charles Haviland:
“…
Chairman Prachanda – your war is 10 years old now.
The economy is in ruins.
Tourism is way down.
Rural poor have fled their homes and live in
Terror.
And 13,000 people are dead.
It's been a disaster hasn't it?”
“This is news," says editor-in-chief Ahmed al-Sheikh. “Any
Other station would jump at this.
Why label us?”
“One reason that people including the Americans are
scared of you
Is that they have a nightmare vision – A
Maoist takeover, conquering and entering Kathmandu with bloodshed.
Is that your aim?”
Two weeks ago, the Arab network carried
another goading address
From bin Laden's top deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri
Who said a limited U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq
Represented “the victory of Islam.”
“Let's talk about the ‘feudals and aristocrats.’
You say that they are your biggest enemies.
Fine. But people who suffered are poor people in the rural areas.
Isn't that true?”
Bin Laden and al-Zawahri are thought to
be
Most interested in influencing Arab public opinion.
Al-Jazeera may be the best way to reach that audience.
“Al-Qaida's real target isn't the United States or the
West.
It’s Arab public opinion.”
Washington criticizes Al-Jazeera
Accusing it of fueling anti-American sentiment and
Giving terrorists a podium.
“If you talk in those absolute terms
How are you going to reach any agreement with the
Powers that be in this country?”
Charles Haviland.
BBC News – constitutionally established by a Royal
Charter.
Al-Jazeera
Based in and bankrolled by the State of Qatar
Has not turned a profit in its 10 years on the air.
“Scoop” is constructed from appropriated
texts.
Sources:
Krane, Jim (Associated Press). January 21, 2006. "Is Al-
Jazeera reporting news or promoting terror? Al-Qaeda's network
of choice says it is unfairly criticized by U.S. and others for
doing its job." Dubai: Indianapolis Star.
“Prachanda
interview: Full transcript”
BBC Charter
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