(Translated by David Wilmsen, TBS contributing editor)  A persistent question amongst Arab thinkers simply stated is this: What does the future hold for culture in our land? If we think about it, the word "culture" holds multiple meanings for each of us. For that reason, I should begin with a …

In quantitative terms one could say that video clips dominate Arab satellite television. At any given time as many as a fifth of the free-to-air channels on Nilesat may be broadcasting video clips. Other programming categories that preoccupy observers of Arab satellite television -- specifically news, religion, and dramatic serials …

In a March 25 interview with The Washington Post, American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice marveled at the contribution of satellite television to the emerging democratic trend in the Middle East and the world. Watching the Lebanese protestors in the streets, she argued, inspired people around the globe to take matters …

Hafiz Al Mirazi is the Washington bureau chief of Al Jazeera and host of the channel's weekly program, From Washington, which spearheaded Al Jazeera's coverage of US elections in 2004. TBS's deputy managing editor Lindsay Wise interviewed Al Mirazi about Al Jazeera's strategy for covering the US presidential race and Arab media interest in …

Ninth Annual AUSACE Conference, 18-21 November 2004, Cairo Building bridges and fortifying existing ones through co-operation and understanding between the US and the Arab World's communication experts is the best way to bridge any gaps created by the tragic events of 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. …

By Morand Fachot, European Broadcasting Union Communications Service Over 400 news professionals and executives representing the world's major news organizations, safety experts, and media specialists gathered in Vilamoura, Portugal, for the third edition of the News Xchange conference in mid-November. With media coverage of the Middle East--in particular of the …

News XChange 2004, Algarve Thursday, 18 November 2004   Emad El Din Adeeb (Host / Presenter, Orbit TV): In reaction to what His Majesty has said I want to start with Nart Bouran of Abu Dhabi TV. Sir, what did you find interesting and thought needed to be underlined in what …

Day 1: Thursday, 18 November 2004 Eason Jordan (Chief News Executive CNN): Thank you and good morning. In the Middle East these are extraordinary times. The war in Iraq. The death of Yasser Arafat. In Iraq, the Palestinian territories and in Israel there is suffering, anxiety and new hope. Also in …

Al-Jaber, Khalid. The Credibility of Arab Broadcasting: The Case of Al Jazeera. Doha: National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage, 2004. Hard cover. 118 pages. ISBN: 99921-25-26-3. No price listed. Reviewed by Ralph D. Berenger Arab world academics are fascinated with the impact of Al Jazeera on viewing habits, and many studies …

The grizzled editor squinted at me through a haze of gray smoke from the omnipresent cigarette protruding from his thin lips. He glared at me with a mixture of chagrin and condescension after my suggestion that some day I would like to write books. The Pall Mall bobbed as he …