Television
Reader comment on item: Letters to the Editor: Does Israel Need a Plan?

Submitted by Jonathan Milner (Australia), May 1, 2003 at 18:42

Daniel

I have enjoyed reading your very prolific writing.

There is one matter that I have not seen raised by you or any other commentator (which is of course not to say that it has not been considered!). It seems to me that it is essential that the message of fundamentalists is challenged. Surely part of this process involves communicating a message to the Muslim people which extends further than the mindless, biased hatred they are fed via the conduit of their local news stations (radio and TV).

Why then does the US government not commit funds to establishing a television station that broadcasts a clear and easily accessible signal to all Muslim countries? That station would show all of the very best entertainment - European football, the very latest sitcoms, shows commissioned from leading Muslim directors - and, every so often, that station could also show unbiased news reports. Mass media clearly has the capacity to fuel hatred or contribute to peace. Why then do we sit back and complain about Al Jazeera when we can do something about it - we should offer an alternative that offers an attractive television experience for Muslim people. They will watch because it offers the very best in entertainment, and through the medium, over time, it will surely be possible to communicate a message.

It seems so obvious.

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Daniel Pipes replies:

Actually, the US government is planning just such a television station.