Etymologically,
Al Jazeera means ‘The Island’ (ironic, considering how it actually describes
the Arabian Peninsula). Politically, it is one of the most controversial news
agencies of all time, what with its willingness to broadcast dissenting views
and circumvent censorship to contribute to the free exchange of information in
the Arab world. Globally, it has turned out to be one of the most influential
brands, just lagging behind Starbucks and is the most watched news channel on
YouTube, receiving 2.5 million views per month.
Al Jazeera
is an independent news agency owned by the State of Qatar, headquartered in
Doha. It caught worldwide attention when it was the only channel to cover the
war in Afghanistan following 9/11, when the US was eager to follow Osama bin
Laden on a wild goose chase. Its facilities and exclusive footage was also
highly sought after during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The channel’s
tremendous popularity has also, for better or worse, made it a shaper of public
opinion. Its coverage often determines what becomes a story and what does not,
as well as how Arab viewers think about issues. Whether in Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
Jordan, or Syria, the stories highlighted and the criticisms aired by guests on
Al Jazeera’s news programs have often significantly affected the course of
events in the region.
For SMUN
2012-2013, Al Jazeera has a team of journalists so brilliant, they could give
Pulitzer a run for his money. Abhishek Bhan will be sending hourly reports on
the ‘critical’ situation that will indubitably develop in the Crisis committee;
Ankita Nanda describing the perspicacity of the Delegates in the Historical
General Assembly; Sukaina Husain elucidating the various laws the Legal
committee is bound to interpret; Akshara Anarjita enumerating the proceedings
of the Commission for the Status of Women; Prajesh Kochandy painting a lurid
image of the events unfolding in the Disarmament and International Security or
the DISEC committee and Arundhati Srivastava giving us all an overview of the
MUN, from the point of view of Al Jazeera, of course. Shannon Mathew is our
official photographer who will be shadowing you all noiselessly, incessantly
capturing committee proceedings.
So beware. Beware of the blatant carnage that
will undoubtedly be let loose on Thursday. I hope to see you all debating
seriously, discussing your agendas logically and above all, having fun with
unmatched ferocity.
Signing off,
Shuchita Goel
(Editor, Al Jazeera, International Press, SMUN'12)
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