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Home , Adel Darwish, American literature, Elaph, Uncle Sam

ANTI-AMERICANISM IN THE LANGUAGE MEDIA By Adel Darwish*

Anti-Americanism in the Arabic language media has grown rapidly over the past couple of decades. Utilized for its own ends by the totalitarian Arab states and their government controlled media, anti-American news stories and analysis are common from North Africa to the Gulf. While not an indigenous phenomenon, anti-Americanism in the is a more virulent form of European anti-Americanism where lighthearted ridicule has been given a darker, more sinister tone. The future is not totally bleak, as recently, new media outlets have attempted to combat in some small way the long legacy of anti-Americanism in the Arabic language media.

During a dinner in with the Middle East. From these newspapers, British and Gulf Arab officials in early television and radio, one would hardly 2003, our conversation touched on what believe that a whole generation in Arabia, is commonly known as "the usual the Gulf, the Levant and North Africa blunders in American foreign policy." still feel any gratitude to the But two senior Gulf diplomats stressed for the help they provided. another side of America, how U.S. The shape and forms of Anti- doctors treated patients at American Americanism in the Arabic language mission hospitals in , , media is all-encompassing: , Oman and long --Selective showing of negative before oil was found and money lured images about America in drama, films, professionals to the region. , and news items. "We were a de-facto part of the --Selective use of phraseology and and ruled by London; yet headlines. This tactic has traditionally it was American mission hospitals to been employed to inflate the ego of which we turned when we were sick and constituency readership or to highlight a needed medicine," said one of the Gulf certain cultural or ideological bias while diplomats. A diplomat from another Gulf undermining opposition to that line. For country added that many of his fellow example, the Arabic press whose owners countrymen received their primary school come from various countries call world- education at American mission schools. renowned heart surgeon Sir Magdi That these diplomats raised the issue Yaccob--who is ethnically a non-Arab, in genuine gratitude to the -- Egyptian Copt(1) --an "Arabic surgeon," and perhaps to remind their old colonial while a taxi driver caught fiddling the masters how much they valued America's fare or a shoplifter is referred to as an positive contribution to their lives--was Egyptian. In such a context, Arabic striking since not a single American was subeditors deliver a subliminal message present around the dinner table that to influence readers and listeners. Such is evening. Such views greatly contrast with the case when the Arabic press highlights the editorial line taken by the majority of that "an American priest is sentenced to Arabic language media both in and out of 10 years in jail for sexually assaulting

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children," without mentioning that the McDonald's hamburgers the most popular victims too were Americans and Iraqi dish instead of the Masgouf fish. Christian churchgoers. --Selective edited translation of --Exaggerating or sexing up of analysis, columns and reporting from headlines without facts to back them up. American, British, European and Israeli For instance, on August 29, 2003 the press of negative writings about America. leading headline in al-Quds al-Arabi, a At the same time, other, more positive London Arabic paper, was "Sharon foreign articles about America are Coordinating with America to Attack ignored by Arabic editors. This ploy Gaza," even though there were no direct gives more credibility to anti-American quotes or any information backing up the pieces since they are written by headline. Americans or Europeans. --Selective reporting and highlighting Citing the above list makes one negative news about murder, rape, high wonder, why and when exactly did crime rates in the United States, while Americans become a target for hatred? ignoring or deemphasizing positive news. Ironically, during the past two decades --Use of cartoons carrying powerful that have witnessed the dramatic rise of images and conveying effective anti-Americanism, Americans continued messages. Most cartoons show Uncle missionary traditions throughout the Sam or American marines supporting region. The hostages kidnapped in Beirut Sharon, or tilting the scales of in the 1980s or shot at in in 2002 justice, undermining the UN, or were aid and medical workers and preventing it from doing its job. In one teachers. They were all engaged in cartoon, Uncle Sam is a doctor stepping humanitarian work, belonging to on the oxygen tube that helps a organizations that can hardly be Palestinian patient to breath while the described as an instrument of American latter has his wallet stolen by Sharon. In a foreign policy, and most of them, on a similar cartoon, Sharon, blessed by Uncle personal level, are quite fond of Arabs. Sam, is sucking the blood of a It is also noticeable how the rise of Palestinian. anti-Americanism in the past two decades --Editorial writers, columnists and coincided with a massive increase in television commentators who are media outlets, such as satellite television obviously not reporters that could be services like al-Jazira, al-Arabiyya, and challenged to produce evidence or Abu Dhabi television,(2) as well as the mention facts, spin anti-Americanism in internet. In May 2003, Egyptian their columns unchallenged. Some of commentator Nabil Sharf el Dine asked them write long analytical pieces that on the Elaph.com Arabic website: "Who pass as news based entirely on rumors or has brainwashed North African students conspiracy theories, such as America is who wear American jeans, consume occupying Iraq to secure oil wealth, to American products and communicate remove a possible threat to and to with each other via American computers subject Arab nations to its dominance. An and American websites to organize editorial in al-Quds al-Arabi on August demonstrations to burn the stars and 29, 2003 claimed that electric power stripes, or pelt American embassies with lines, water supplies and utilities were eggs day after day, when common sense destroyed in Iraq by fire from American indicates that they should have been invading forces, which came to colonize demonstrating to improve their meager Iraq. A columnist on August 14, 2003 lot in the first place?" claimed that America is plotting to make

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Few would dispute that there are some campaigns terrorized liberal intellectuals obvious blunders in American foreign and writers of different views into either policy but there are also other, generally silence or submission. more powerful and long-term reasons for In a series of articles printed in Al- anti-Americanism in the Middle East. Hayat, a London based daily, in August The loathing or fear of democracy by 2003, about development of literature and the region's dictatorships is a major trends, Egyptian writer factor. Equally important is European and media historian Husayn Amine influence, both colonial and post- identified Egyptian philosopher, colonial, in fostering anti-Americanism. Mahmoud Abbas al-Aqad as the only Since there is no true free contest for writer/philosopher in the late 1950s and power that tests the popularity of policy 1960s who stood up to the "left-wing in elections, autocratic rulers keep an eye Mafia of Marxists and Nasserites in the on public opinion and public mood, field of media and art who managed which in turn has a great impact on their within a decade to create an foreign policy, leading to a catch-22 unprecedented reign of terror in Egyptian situation. On the one hand, Middle intellectual life." Amine continued: Eastern leaders use anti-American public sentiment as an excuse to both distance They established their own school themselves from American foreign policy of literary criticism and art built activities which would genuinely help on Marxist fundamentalism. Their their peoples, and to manipulate that writing style and expressions were public mood to their own advantage, like harsh in their onslaught on delaying reform or blackmailing liberals not following their Washington into giving more aid. On the Marxist line. They terrorized other hand, those governments do little to artists and writers into confining persuade the media, which they often expression to what they called control, to soften or reduce the strong socialist . No one dared to message of anti-Americanism. There are compose a poem or write a short even occasions when those governments story or paint a picture that didn't encourage the trend of anti-Americanism, conform to Colonel Nasser's sometimes to deflect domestic criticism brand of nationalism and of their policy away from them. . Most of the regional media is on automatic pilot, cruising on a course set This literary oligarchy was selective in by the editorial hierarchy during the translating during the heyday of pan-Arab nationalism and so-called "thousand book project" to alliance with the Soviet bloc. Those translate into Arabic that many books editorial teams are part of mini-media every year. The project was dominated by empires where the editorial line is left Russian, Soviet bloc, French and Latin over from the days when they were American books. Those American books aspiring to positions of power in the that were translated were written by left- ruling establishment. Press clippings, wing authors who were victims of diaries of intellectuals, and literature in McCarthyism and who painted American the 1960s show how left-wing Marxist life in a negative light, omitting the fact trends, beginning with the Egyptian that American liberal democracy government-directed media during Gamal tolerated such criticism in the first place. Abdel Nasser's time, controlled large When President started sectors of the media. Using all possible his liberal political and economic reforms ways to shape public opinion these by ending the one-party "Socialist Union"

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dominance over all aspects of Egyptian resources, blackmail or threaten Saudi life and making peace with Israel, he Arabia, set up military bases as a launch could not win the state-controlled media pad for attack on other Muslim nations, to his side. Ironically, the tyranny of the and blackmail regimes into toeing the left pushed Sadat into a paradox. American line. Although genuine in his reforms to Some other "threats" presented by the restore the multi-party liberal system media are: globalization; Zionism; right- which existed around an elected wing Christian conservatism and parliament before the 1952 Nasser coup, evangelism condemned as modern Sadat was so frustrated by Nasserites' and crusaders; secularism or atheism; the Marxists' control of the media that he internet and its degrading influence on resorted to undemocratic measures such the young and moral fabric of society and as purging the media of some prominent pushing Arabic and Islamic societies to figures and rounding up others for several embrace the infidels' culture; Hollywood weeks just to be able to mobilize enough and its harmful influence and the public support to implement the final stereotyping of the "Arab" or the stage of the peace treaty with Israel. Still, "Muslim" in negative roles (which is despite the obvious long-term national often interpreted as part of a "Zionist" or benefits to be gained from liberal "Jewish" conspiracy); and the corrupting reforms, 's media oligarchy were so influence of Western fashion, children's entrenched in their position that Sadat television, or toys like Barbie dolls and could not influence a permanent change Pokemon, to name but a few. The most in the editorial line that was popular subject is America's support for institutionally anti-American, anti-peace Israel. and anti-Israel. But anti-Americanism also dominates Anti-Americanism in the Middle East non-state controlled media or today is part of an ongoing policy of independent media operating targeting an outside enemy, with the commercially, including scores of United States replacing the old colonial newspapers and television channels power in this role. It has always been a owned by businesses in Egypt, , convenient tool, or excuse to delay the Gulf and several owned by a fulfilling the promises given to the consortia made up of Middle Easterners masses for embarking on much needed and Europeans in the West. Some are programs of political and constitutional mouthpieces of political parties which are reform, as well as liberalizing the fundamentally anti-American in their economy and political life. Media in most ideology, either Marxist, Arab nationalist, of those nations is far from free, and or Islamist.(3) Others are financed by often under direct state orders or pressure autocratic regimes to promote their to whip up anti-American feelings. message, or simply are threatened into State-controlled media exaggerate taking an ideological line which includes external threats which are often more anti-Americanism. imaginary than real. Unfortunately for In places where the press is almost America, most of the threats are free--especially in reporting foreign associated in one form or another with issues--as in Egypt and Lebanon, or the United States and its dominance over totally free like Arabic papers in Europe world politics, trade and technology. and North America, writers are subjected Thus, the main Arabic media line on the to the influence of the retainer. Islamic war in Iraq is to suggest that America's organizations or Arab regimes will pay a intervention is purely to control oil key editor of a newspaper in Egypt,

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London or Lebanon a large retainer-- design--since it is suspected they are double or triple his salary--to write a filtered for this purpose--condemn the weekly or a monthly column in a Gulf or rational guest as a "negative defeatist." At Lebanese publication. As a result, the best, he is portrayed as someone misled writer censors or manipulates news and and brainwashed by Western . reports in the media organ in which he is At worst, he is portrayed as an American employed in order to please those who or Zionist agent who might be threatened pay him the retainer. with death by callers. Thus, the "viewers' Even with media organs that are self- participation" reinforces the mood of financed or financially independent one anti-Americanism and conspiracy theory, finds anti-Americanism played up to upheld in the end by the host as the increase circulation or appeal to a wider "democratic expression of the majority of audience. For example, the al-Arabiyya viewers." and al-Jazira stations began as free media With such media displays coupled but then used systematic anti- with public manifestation of anti- Americanism to boost the number of their Americanism in other organs shaping and viewers. Television channels that were directing public opinion--alongside launched to "balance" al-Jazira were soon places of worship, political rallies and emulating both its tactics and message. In students demonstrations--leaders become the absence of an effective, practical, more entrenched in their reluctance to workable way to measure the number of cooperate with America or even to use viewers and assess their purchasing their huge powers to urge editors to power in relation to television, advertisers balance their presentations. rate a network's popularity by the volume Ironically, such anti-Americanism of viewers' calls and emails during both derives from and reinforces the popular talk shows. The majority of those prevailing totalitarian ideology which, in Arabic talk shows are shouting matches, turn, threatens the very existence of those something like Jerry Springer, which regimes who encouraged it in the first polarize viewers and encourage them to place. The sloganists, known to Egyptian flood the show with calls, emails, faxes, and some Arab liberals by Egyptian and mobile phone text messages. Most of sarcastic slang as "Qawmagiyah the shows are anti-American either Arabgiyah, Islamgiyagh, Harbagiyah and directly or by exploring some conspiracy Awantagyieh"(4) thrive on accusing those theory of imminent threat to Islamic and leaders of being American stooges. They Arabic culture from "American and may be branded conspirators with Zionist powers." Zionism, traitors to some fantastic ideals A token voice of reason is permitted to like the "Arab nation" or heretical appear on the show but then drowned out Muslims cooperating with infidels against by the shouts of slogans from high-profile the "Islamic Umma." Such entities exist Islamist or Arab nationalist participants in the media matrix that brainwash people chosen for their popularity and loud into believing in their existence even voices. The presenter usually sides with though they have no presence in the real the sloganists against the voice of reason, world. who appears to break a taboo by using It is within this media-created virtual rational argument and facts to challenge reality that a North African or a Sudanese common beliefs. The host's job is to student who can hardly afford a bus-ride, uphold the popular values and repel any doesn't demonstrate to improve his lot, challenge to traditional slogans. but instead demonstrates in opposition to Most of the phone calls and emails, America and Israel in support of the whether by coincidence or editorial Palestinians, and yet has never met a

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Palestinian--let alone an American--in his was also a cultural factor. In Egypt, as in life. other Arab countries, the well-educated Is anti-Americanism an indigenous intellectual elite that ran culture and the product of this region? My analysis media were educated in , where indicates that in a majority of cases the they learned anti-Americanism from both actual content of it is actually a European its French and leftist sources.(5) Given import. For example, one often finds a the influence of Egyptian cinema, news, variation on the social anti-Americanism and entertainment products on the rest of that derives from the traditional snobbery the region, these ideas soon spread. of British and European conservative Even at a time when Britain and trends who are still bemused by the fact France were still more important than the that the "colonies" have "suddenly" United States in the region, the target of become the world's dominant Nasser's propaganda was America. This . Although this light-hearted, is especially striking given the Anglo- snobbish anti-Americanism is quite French involvement in the 1956 attempt harmless, even entertaining as Europeans to overthrow him and the French role as laugh at the Americans' gullibility and the colonial power fighting against their shallow view of the world in an Algerian independence. Later, as Soviet affectionate way, in its Middle Eastern bloc training and influence increased, this version this takes on more dangerous anti-American tendency was reinforced. overtones in which the history and nature By the 1960s, whenever there were of American society are portrayed as evil. accidents or disasters in Egypt, often The other main source of anti- caused by the corruption or incompetence Americanism is the political variety of officials, the media blamed them on which has long been the property of the CIA plots to overthrow the regime. left as developed during the . During this period, an individual's This fed on American policies which ability to travel to the West was much might either have been mistaken or were reduced due to government restrictions or made to appear so. All positive motives a deteriorating economy. Only a handful- and deeds by the United States were -mainly from the newly emerging ruling filtered out of the picture. elite and their cronies--had their passports For example, a good case could be renewed or was granted exit visas, made that Egypt's regime has instead of the thousands in the past who overwhelmingly benefited from in earlier years managed to go on American action. The United States vacation in Europe or travel to America supported Nasser when he seized control for vacation or education. National policy of Egypt in 1952 and saved his regime in Egypt, and Iraq was to send four years later when President Dwight students for higher education to the Eisenhower intervened against close U.S. Soviet Bloc.(6) This combined with a allies to stop their attack intending to noticeable drop in the number of overthrow him. There was ‘point 4,' a Westerners and Americans living in the U.S. aid program to Egypt in Nasser's region thanks to the nationalization of early years, renewed in the late 1970s, property, an unfavorable investment when the United States also became climate, and other restrictions. Western Egypt's main supplier of weapons. culture and contacts were less accessible Nevertheless, Nasser's propaganda to most Middle Easterners living under machine was strongly anti-American. those regimes. While this was mainly the product of Hollywood movies, television soap- radical Arab nationalist politics, there operas and dramas became almost the

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Adel Darwish only window that remained open on production staff. Vacancies were opened American life for millions in the Middle for journalists from Egypt, Lebanon and East and fostered a generation whose later for many Palestinians. The mix was cultural frame of reference included interesting, as the majority were left-wing many negative images of America. Marxists, socialists, or secular Arab Censorship on art, films and books nationalists who now found themselves nourished anti-Americanism, too, working for conservative and because it was the best works that were traditionally Islamic bosses. Thus, to get considered dangerous. Anything of a across their political positions, the more sophisticated level might challenge journalists downplayed social radicalism the ruling ideology while superficial and espoused instead positions which the films, banal music, and trashy books were owners could not reject--the need for thought harmless. unity, support for the Palestinians, and By the same token, though, they hostility to the United States. reinforced the image of America as This campaign had long-term effects. having a worthless culture and being Anti-Americanism grew among the target merely a violent society full of criminals, audiences in the Gulf and North Africa. perverts, and gangsters. Scenes which No matter how much the United States would have counter-balanced strong anti- backed the regimes, the effort to discredit American feelings, were censored out; the United States continued. At a time while left-wing and Marxist critics filled when America was backing Iraq in the acres of newspaper space and air-time -, convoying the oil tankers with their "critical analysis" of the films of Arab states, or saving Kuwait from proving their negative view of America. Iraqi , there was no change in The once free and independent press the tone and intensity of the propaganda. was turned into Soviet-style newspapers, Clearly, there has been a lasting influenced by the French socialist impact on the minds of Middle intellectuals' ideas about the role of the Easterners. Even American involvement intellectual as a "witness of his age" and in overthrowing Saddam did not repeal the Stalinist notion of the intellectual's the decades of anti-American teaching for historic commitment in building a Iraqis. They are fully prepared to believe socialist society. The result was that that the United States will return Saddam editorial, commentary and news were to power, turn Iraqi assets over to Israel, melted into one product. Reporting or created the September 11 attacks as an became a statement of ideology or excuse for aggression. repeating the rulers' slogans rather than One ironic result of the war in Iraq informing with facts. As this style of was the creation of what an Egyptian journalism became dominant throughout commentator called "Saddam's widows the region, the media began relating most and orphans," referring to the hundreds of events to Zionist or CIA conspiracies. If journalists throughout the Middle East the policies of the regimes failed, the who were formerly bribed or secretly finger was not pointed to those employed by Saddam's regime. Angry responsible or to the waste of the nations' with America for ending a lucrative resources, but rather to the fault of source of income, they continue to poison America for the latest defeats. readers' and viewers' minds by putting the The new oil wealth in the Gulf and worst possible face on American actions North Africa created media centers in the in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the region in 1970s and 1980s with considerable general. budgets at editors' disposal, but there was All of these problems, however, do a severe shortage of skilled editorial and not mean there are no positive forces in

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the region. An interesting example has been the evolution of al-Sharq al-Awsat, *Adel Darwish has been a journalist which is one of the few media outlets covering international affairs for thirty- actually generating enough income as an five years. He has written for enterprise. It responded to Independent, Daily Telegraph, Daily the September 11 crisis by greatly Mail, and The Middle East, and expanding its use of articles and contributes to several American columnists from American newspapers papers. He has written several books on through syndication deals. Its own Iraq, political terrorism, Islamist reporters moved to a higher level of movement, water, the spread of missile objective reporting, while liberal technology in the Middle East, and columnists were added to give the paper modern Iran. more balance. The result was that the newspaper's circulation expanded, NOTES especially in Iraq though its price there 1. When Egyptians were forced to was much higher than other publications. convert to Islam by a high poll tax on Growing numbers of journalists non-Muslims around 927, Copts who reporting in Arabic are genuine in could afford it didn't convert and their wanting to do a better job and openly bloodline remained purely Egyptian. discuss the shortcomings of the media. At 2. Two of the above were censored for a May 2003 conference on the Arabic two weeks in an extraordinary step taken media in Kuwait, Saudi editor Othman al- by the Iraqi Governing Council on Omeir presented a strong critique of the September 21, 2003 for "inciting violence quality of news outlets which won and sectarian hatred as well as inaccurate support among many of those present. He reporting." was the creator of Elaph.com, a 3. Examples include at least half a dozen comprehensive and often updated news daily papers in and a handful in site which has gained a wide audience Lebanon and that are platforms among liberal and democratic writers. It for Marxist, Arab Nationalist, Nasserite, has also paid close attention to ethnic and Islamist political parties. In Egypt, non-Arabs whose voice is rarely heard in some of them are al-Ahali, Ashaab, al- the Arabic media. Usbou'h el Arabi, and al- Mithaq Other Arabic language websites, like 4. A tradesman is given the name of his Nahdat Misr in Cairo or Hydpark 2000 in profession followed by 'agie' and the London, or Arabic News or Egypt online, plural is 'agiyah'. Therefore, a postman is are also emerging to present an postagie and postmen are postagiyah in alternative picture to what is generally Egyptian slang. So people laugh off Arab published. Some television shows are Nationalists as 'Qawmagiyah' making also trying to present more balanced nationalism a trade. They use the same current affairs programs and have begun term for Islamists and for warmongers, to invite Americans to present their case who are called 'Harbagiyah', but they as well. also add 'Awantagiyah' meaning con men. Such voices of reason are by no means 5. Almost 75 percent of literature and enough in quantity to reverse the tide of philosophy translated in the 1000 books anti-Americanism. But at least there is a project were from the French language growing minority of listeners, readers and and the rest were from other parts of the viewers who are no longer prepared to world. accept the dominant version spread by 6. Before the pre-1952 coup, more than totalitarian media as the only truth. half the university staff and over 35

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Adel Darwish percent of secondary schoolteachers, as well as a large section of students and pupils on subsidized travel, would spend summer vacation in the West renewing their cultural contacts, and obtaining new cultural products like records and books that they shared with their students in the new term. After the 1956 Suez war, the number dropped to less than 15 percent and continued to decline over the years, while Nasser started deporting hundreds of thousands of Egyptian born of Western or Jewish origins.

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