A curated selection of public diplomacy-relevant news from a global cross-section of English-language media outlets, including independent, corporate-owned, and state-sponsored sources. The stories featured don't necessarily represent CPD's views nor have they been verified by CPD.
First Look: Watching BBC Arabic TV
It will obviously take time for BBC Arabic to establish its place in the crowded world of Arabic TV news. The role it plays and stature it acquires could depend largely on the performance of its main Arab competitors. Despite the different political biases commonly attributed to the editorial lines of Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera, the fact remains that both channels cover most of their news stories most of the time with a reasonable degree of accuracy, detail and balance. Distortions and omissions come mainly when their sponsor-governments’ agendas come into play.
Public diplomacy
Public diplomacy has assumed importance in the 21st century in promoting the image of the country. The United States has attached high importance to it because of its (US's) shattered image around the world. The United States has a problem in far too many parts of the world.
Franco-African relations: Who is tired of whom?
Gone are the days when the greatest dream of Francophone artistes, intellectuals, students and politicians was a trip to Paris or settling there. Le Monde, one of the leading French newspapers broke the story, which was based on reports filed to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs by its diplomats. Their common thread? France’s image in Africa is “very tarnished.”
Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam’s Face
Mr. Ardekani is among the most visible of a new wave of young American Muslim performers and filmmakers trying to change the public face of their religion. His most popular video posting — “Who Hijacked Islam?” — has garnered more than 350,000 hits on YouTube since July 2006...These video pioneers’ arena of choice is mostly YouTube and similar Web sites, which young Muslims extol as a new way to take their arguments public. The role model is Bill Cosby, who young Muslim filmmakers believe changed the perception of African-Americans by depicting them as ordinary.
Kazakhstan seeks identity on the big screen
If the satirical movie "Borat" spoofed an entire nation, then "Mongol" was a decent counterpunch...But "Mongol" was more than a big-budget Genghis Khan biopic, says Gulnara Sarsenova, the perfume and cosmetics magnate who helped bankroll the $23 million production. It also aimed to bolster the self-respect of a traditionally nomadic people aggressively Russified during 70 years of Soviet domination.
US keen to hold youth conference in Qatar
The US government is eager to collaborate with the Qatar Foundation in hosting a conference for its Youth Exchange and Study Program (Yes) alumni. Visiting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Goli Ameri (pictured), said yesterday on the sidelines of an International Visitor Program that the focus is to keep the alumni more engaged.
Concert may signal warming ties between pope, China
The China Philharmonic Orchestra performed for Pope Benedict XVI in a landmark concert Wednesday that could indicate warming relations between Beijing and the Vatican. Benedict called it a "truly unique event" and offered a "thank you" in Chinese at the end of the hour-long concert.
Doha Calling
Unfortunately, it's not likely that most Baltimoreans--most Americans, for that matter--will ever see the Al Jazeera English story about Baltimore. It's possible that most won't ever watch the network at all. Because, even though it has a large and active bureau in Washington, and it's available in most other English-speaking nations in the world outside of North America, no major cable or satellite carriers in the United States includes Al Jazeera English's programming.
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