US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1387

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001387 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2014 
TAGS: PREL, KPAO, OIIP, KMPI, BA 
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INFORMATION DISCUSSES AL JAZEERA AND 
IRAQ 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for Reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C)  Al Jazeera Satellite Channel and Iraq dominated the 
conversation during the Ambassador's Sept. 6 introductory 
call on Minister of Information Nabeel bin Yaqoob Al Hamer. 
The Minister said that he had directed Bahrain Satellite 
Television to stop airing the videotapes on abductions and 
kidnappings in Iraq during news broadcasts because airing 
them serves no good purpose.  He mentioned that the GOB had 
also spoken to Al Jazeera Satellite Channel and Al Arabiyya 
about not airing the hostage videotapes. 
 
2.  (C)  When asked if Al Jazeera had ever had a 
correspondent based in Bahrain, Al Hamer replied no, adding 
that he continued to receive requests from Al Jazeera on 
this.   According to Al Hamar, even though Bahrain's 
relationship with Qatar had improved following the ICJ 
decision about the Hawar Islands, Al Jazeera continued to 
focus only on negative stories about Bahrain. 
 
3.  (C)  The Minister opined that Al Jazeera was losing 
credibility in the region and that most Bahraini viewers 
watched Al Arabiyya, which he believes is more balanced (Al 
Arabiyya does have a correspondent in Bahrain).  He added 
that Bahrain's majority Shia population was displeased with 
Al Jazeera's coverage of the recent events in Najaf, which 
they felt portrayed Shia in a negative light.  He concluded 
by noting that Al Jazeera's stature as a regional media 
outlet took a blow when it was asked to leave Iraq. 
MONROE