After Al Jazeera’s recent actions to create a TikTok network and expand their news scope, the Qatari government still expressed its anger with the network’s progress. The government specifically cited “flailing international reporting” as the cause of its ire.
“We had high hopes for the nascent network, and were determined to share many opinions,” said the Minister of Technology. “But by the recent callousness of reporting, we will have no choice but to hold Al Jazeera journalists hostage.”
Al Jazeera’s journalists believe that the Qatari government’s anger is veiled criticism of the network’s opinions. “We embrace journalism and journalistic ethics,” said the Mubasher Director. “So when the government threatens us, it means they’re imposing their opinions over the truth we report.”
Other Al Jazeera Board of Directors members addressed a need to appease the Qatari government.
“We need the funding from the government,” said the Balkans Director. “It’s not ideal, but we may have to appease the Qatari government in order to survive.”
However, the Balkans Director clarified that he does not want to take orders directly from Qatar. “We still need to focus on internal efforts, and report on issues where we’re independent, but still reporting on issues Qatar wants us to report on,” he said.
However, Al Jazeera’s journalists have affirmed that their top priority is currently maintaining journalistic integrity, and hope to report even if they are held hostage or are evicted from Qatar. “The government may seize our property at any time,” said the Mubasher Director. “So we need to make sure we can safely be evacuated.”
The Mubasher Director pleaded for international support to help the journalists against the Qatari government, whose Energy Minister recently advocated a “forgive and forget” attitude towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The world needs to know where Qatar is putting their resources,” the Mubasher Director said.
The Arabic Director expanded on this. “We need international aid to make sure we can wean off government support and maintain our independence,” he said.