Al-Hurra, the US-funded TV station competing with Al-Jazeera for the hearts and minds of Arab viewers, now “panders to Arab sympathies,” thanks to the hiring of former CNN producer Larry Register. Joel Mowbray explains:
Within weeks of becoming news director, Mr. Register put his own stamp on the network. Producers and on-air talent quickly understood that change was underway. Investigations into Arab government wrongdoing or oppression were no longer in vogue, and the ban on turning the airwaves over to terrorists was lifted. For those who had chafed under Mr. Register’s predecessor–who curbed the desire of many on staff to make Al-Hurra more like al-Jazeera–the new era was welcomed warmly.
“Everybody feels emboldened. Register changed the atmosphere around here,” notes one staffer. “Register is trying to pander to Arab sympathies,” says another….
At a staff meeting announcing the reversal of the ban on terrorists as guests, Mr. Register “bragged” about his personal relationship with Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar, a top Hamas official, according to someone who was present. Contacted on his cell phone for comment, Mr. Register declined, indicating that he couldn’t spare even two minutes anytime in the coming days.
Perhaps it is because Mr. Register is so casual in his attitude to terrorists that interviewers now toss softball questions to fiery anti-Western guests, while also taking digs at one of America’s closest Middle Eastern allies, Israel.
Mowbray also castigates Al-Hurra’s coverage of Mughrabi Gate and decisions to air sermons by Hassan Nasrallah and Ikrima Sabri.
