Doha, Reporting to the World
US missile strikes have rocketed al-Jazeera television to the peak of fame. When Kabul was under attack, its television crew chose to stay on and become a witness to the savagery of war. While American guided missiles laid waste to Baghdad, their determination was repeatedly tested. During this period one of its reporters was killed when an explosion tore through its office. Through all these sacrifices, al-Jazeera has now become the most prominent television network in the Middle East and is quite influential elsewhere in the world. Its determination to break down the domination of Western media, though, continues to bring it threats and suspicion. Following is a report from TEMPO reporter Rommy Fibri, who called on its headquarters in Doha, Qatar, last month.
June 3, 2003
AT al-Jazeera headquarters the world really appears small. Even if it could not be said to be as small as a merunggai tree leaf, as the saying goes, then maybe it is no larger than the light-green world map that hangs in the lobby of this television station. Below it, 32 small TV screens show a number of other international television broadcasts such as CNN, BBC, APTN, Reuters, Abu Dhabi TV, Al-Manar, and MBC. Every happening in every remot
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