In the fourth hour of the News War series, FRONTLINE/World explores two aspects of the global news media: the rise of Arab satellite TV in the Mideast, and the growing threat to journalists in conflict areas around the world.
In our first story, “War of Ideas,” reporter Greg Barker travels to the Middle East to examine the rise of Arab satellite TV channels at a time of convulsive change and conflict in the region. His report focuses on the growing influence of Al Jazeera, and the controversy around the recent launch of Al Jazeera English, which U.S. satellite and cable companies have declined to carry. Barker also visits the “war room” of the State Department’s Rapid Response Unit, which monitors Arab media 24 hours a day, and meets with U.S. military officers whose mission is to engage the Arab news channels in debate.
Our second story, “Requiem,” is a tribute to journalists who risk their lives to tell the vital stories of our era.
At a time when fair and accurate news coverage is more essential than ever, 2006 marked one of the deadliest years on record for journalists. Surprisingly, despite the fierce fighting in Iraq, most of the slain journalists did not die in combat. They were deliberately targeted, hunted down, and murdered for investigating corruption, crime, or human rights abuses in countries around the world. FRONTLINE/World essayist Sheila Coronel looks at the dangers journalists confront as they try to tell their stories and pays special tribute to reporters working in the Philippines, Russia, Turkey, Zimbabwe, China and Iraq who have been killed, jailed, or exiled for daring to speak truth to power.
Finally, as a supplement to this 4th episode of “News War,” the FRONTLINE/World Web site includes a “Rough Cut” video by Vanessa Hua, “Everyone’s a Journalist,” about “OhmyNews,” South Korea’s experiment in online “citizen journalism.” It’s a successful news outlet that relies on amateur reporters and blurs the distinction between journalism and political activism.
Frontline/World is made possible by SHELL, supporting freedom of the press — and the independent journalists — who tell the stories of our times.
