The Culture of Al Jazeera: Inside an Arab Media Giant

by Mohamed Zayani, Sofiane Sahraoui

Overview

In the mid 1990s, the emir of Qatar conceived the idea of a satellite channel that would further the progressive image he hoped to establish for his small Arabian/Persian Gulf state. At the same time, a short-lived partnership between the BBC and a Saudi company had left a handful of BBC-trained Arab journalists and broadcasters up for grabs. That was the inception of Al Jazeera--a satellite channel which changed forever the face of Arab broadcasting with its uncensored news and bold talk show programs. The September 11 attacks on the United States and the war on terrorism vaulted Al Jazeera to international prominence but also turned it into a source of controversy. Despite the controversy--or perhaps in part because of it--in less than a decade the channel has transformed itself from an obscure regional news broadcaster to a multi-channel, multi-lingual, multi-service global enterprise.

This book's in-depth look at Al Jazeera examines whether its global success reflects particular organizational strengths. It explores whether Al Jazeera is merely a fad thriving on the thirst for free speech in the Middle East, or a new medium whose success will be sustained by its organizational culture and model. This work delves deep into the culture, workings and challenges of this powerful media organization to provide insights on its achievements, its future, and the true measure of its success.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786429615
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	06/06/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Mohamed Zayani is an associate professor of critical theory at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar and author of Networked Publics and Digital Contention. Sofiane Sahraouiis an associate professor of management information systems at the American University of Sharjah, UAE, and a research fellow at the University of Brunel, UK.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     
Introduction     

I. An Unconventional Media Player     
II. Critical Success Factors     
III. In Search of a Core Capability     
IV. Unraveling the Business Model     
V. Values and Beliefs     
VI. The Power Game     
VII. The People Organization     
VIII. Beyond Money     
IX. The Knowledge Imperative     
X. Al Jazeera at the Crossroads     
XI. Surviving Change     
XII. Innovation and Expansion     
XIII. The Road Ahead     

Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

recommended”—Midwest Book Review; “an important book...highly recommended”—International Journal of Communication; “this is one of the most innovative and in-depth studies of Al Jazeera channel to have been published in several years...in this rich case study, the authors offer a fascinating portrait of a network struggling to find its identity”—European Journal of Communication; “this book is a real contribution to expanding our methodological and conceptual horizons as they pertain to Arab media...an important contribution to Arab media scholarship”—Global Media Journal.

From the Publisher

this is one of the most innovative and in-depth studies of Al Jazeera channel to have been published in several years...in this rich case study, the authors offer a fascinating portrait of a network struggling to find its identity

European Journal of Communication

an important book...highly recommended

International Journal of Communication

recommended

Midwest Book Review