Al-Jazeera for sale!
The Gulf state of Qatar is considering privatising its satellite TV channel, al-Jazeera, because of pressure from the US and a de facto advertising boycott by Arab countries offended by its critical coverage. Reporters at the station fear that if the channel is privatised commercial pressures could force it to tone down its coverage. Al-Jazeera’s coverage of politics has embroiled Qatar in disputes with almost all of its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. According to Wadah Khanfar, the station’s director, the consultancy firm Ernst and Young has been hired to look into possible privatisation models, though he said no final decision had yet been taken. Reporters fear that the power of advertisers and shareholders could lead to self-censorship if the channel is privatised. Because of its taboo-breaking coverage al-Jazeera has an audience of some 35-40 million but attracts few advertisers.
CNN?, BBC? Mossad? Bin Ladens gang? This deal will be controversial anyhow.
See the most important newspapers from Qatar here
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