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The Layalina Review

VOL. V NO. 11, May 08-May 21, 2009

Al-Hurra Today and Tomorrow

The US-funded television channel Al-Hurra is hoping that the unusual format of its new daily news show Al-Youm will increase its share of the viewer market, reports Keach Hagey for The National. The three-hour program is broadcast live from its hub in Dubai as well as its bureau in Cairo, Beirut, Jerusalem and the channel’s headquarters in Springfield, Virginia.

“I don’t think any country in any language has launched what we have just launched, which is a five-country play, simultaneously by satellite, hooked up live three hours a day, five days a week,” said Fran Mires, the executive producer of the show which began airing in March.

Joaquin Blaya, a member of the BBG, explains that the budget for the Middle East Broadcasting Network (MBN) has grown significantly since 2008, “probably by 20%,” mainly because of Al-Youm. MBN’s budget for this year is $120 million and, according to Blaya, it will continue to increase because of the support of the Obama administration for public diplomacy.

The channel’s vice president, Danny Nassif, believes he has the support of Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress. Although Al-Hurra enjoys a 55% penetration rate in places such as Iraq, The National points out that “Al-Hurra’s most recent figures, taken before Al-Youm was launched, put viewership at 27 million a week, significantly behind Arabic news titans such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya.”

Mires further comments that Al-Hurra has not been greatly affected by competition from other Western-funded channels that are emerging in the market. She notes that, unlike Al-Jazeera, Al-Hurra is a “totally free medium.”

However, some detractors remain less than enthusiastic about Al-Hurra and its news program, reports Kebob Fest. The news site criticizes the lack of real news content and information. “Those seeking visual stimulation will also be unsatisfied...regardless of what the anchors chose to wear,” suggests the site. There is "a failed attempt at fast-paced US-style news that comes off as chaotic and incoherent,” it adds.

The news site further notes that viewership remains very low and describes former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy James Glassman as an apologist for the channel’s waste of money.

Nevertheless, Al-Hurra’s last day is nowhere in sight. “The same way Radio/TV Marti continues to operate, and Radio Free Europe stays on air, Al-Hurra will continue to exist in some form.”

In a related story, senior representatives of Al-Hurra have dismissed claims that foreign news broadcasters are irrelevant to Arab culture and society, argues John Parnell for Digital Productions.

The denial follows claims by Saudi Arabian writer and academic Khalid Al-Dakhil who argues that “foreign news channels add no value to the Arab world.”

“There is no merit in that statement,” said Fran Mires. “We interview officials every day and have built up a significant roster of high ranking political figures that appear on the show.”

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