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How The Saudi Foreign Ministry Controls Arab Media

Tyler Durden's picture




 

From Wikileaks, as part of its latest release of confidential government information, The Saudi Cables

Buying Silence: How the Saudi Foreign Ministry controls Arab media


On Monday, Saudi Arabia celebrated the beheading of its 100th prisoner this year. The story was nowhere to be seen on Arab media despite the story's circulation on wire services. Even international media was relatively mute about this milestone compared to what it might have been if it had concerned a different country. How does a story like this go unnoticed?

Today's release of the WikiLeaks "Saudi Cables" from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs show how it's done.

The oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its ruling family take a systematic approach to maintaining the country's positive image on the international stage. Most world governments engage in PR campaigns to fend off criticism and build relations in influential places. Saudi Arabia controls its image by monitoring media and buying loyalties from Australia to Canada and everywhere in between.

Documents reveal the extensive efforts to monitor and co-opt Arab media, making sure to correct any deviations in regional coverage of Saudi Arabia and Saudi-related matters. Saudi Arabia's strategy for co-opting Arab media takes two forms, corresponding to the "carrot and stick" approach, referred to in the documents as "neutralisation" and "containment". The approach is customised depending on the market and the media in question.

"Contain" and "Neutralise"

The initial reaction to any negative coverage in the regional media is to "neutralise" it. The term is used frequently in the cables and it pertains to individual journalists and media institutions whose silence and co-operation has been bought. "Neutralised" journalists and media institutions are not expected to praise and defend the Kingdom, only to refrain from publishing news that reflects negatively on the Kingdom, or any criticism of its policies. The "containment" approach is used when a more active propaganda effort is required. Journalists and media institutions relied upon for "containment" are expected not only to sing the Kingdom's praises, but to lead attacks on any party that dares to air criticisms of the powerful Gulf state.

One of the ways "neutralisation" and "containment" are ensured is by purchasing hundreds or thousands of subscriptions in targeted publications. These publications are then expected to return the favour by becoming an "asset" in the Kingdom's propaganda strategy. A document listing the subscriptions that needed renewal by 1 January 2010 details a series of contributory sums meant for two dozen publications in Damascus, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Kuwait, Amman and Nouakchott. The sums range from $500 to 9,750 Kuwaiti Dinars ($33,000). The Kingdom effectively buys reverse "shares" in the media outlets, where the cash "dividends" flow the opposite way, from the shareholder to the media outlet. In return Saudi Arabia gets political "dividends" – an obliging press.

An example of these co-optive practices in action can be seen in an exchange between the Saudi Foreign Ministry and its Embassy in Cairo. On 24 November 2011 Egypt's Arabic-language broadcast station ONTV hosted the Saudi opposition figure Saad al-Faqih, which prompted the Foreign Ministry to task the embassy with inquiring into the channel. The Ministry asked the embassy to find out how "to co-opt it or else we must consider it standing in the line opposed to the Kingdom's policies".

The document reports that the billionaire owner of the station, Naguib Sawiris, did not want to be "opposed to the Kingdom's policies" and that he scolded the channel director, asking him "never to host al-Faqih again". He also asked the Ambassador if he'd like to be "a guest on the show".

The Saudi Cables are rife with similar examples, some detailing the figures and the methods of payment. These range from small but vital sums of around $2000/year to developing country media outlets – a figure the Guinean News Agency "urgently needs" as "it would solve many problems that the agency is facing" – to millions of dollars, as in the case of Lebanese right-wing television station MTV.

Confrontation

The "neutralisation" and "containment" approaches are not the only techniques the Saudi Ministry is willing to employ. In cases where "containment" fails to produce the desired effect, the Kingdom moves on to confrontation. In one example, the Foreign Minister was following a Royal Decree dated 20 January 2010 to remove Iran’s new Arabic-language news network, Al-Alam, from the main Riyadh-based regional communications satellite operator, Arabsat. After the plan failed, Saud Al Faisal sought to "weaken its broadcast signal".

The documents show concerns within the Saudi administration over the social upheavals of 2011, which became known in the international media as the "Arab Spring". The cables note with concern that after the fall of Mubarak, coverage of the upheavals in Egyptian media was "being driven by public opinion instead of driving public opinion". The Ministry resolved "to give financial support to influential media institutions in Tunisia", the birthplace of the “Arab Spring”.

The cables reveal that the government employs a different approach for its own domestic media. There, a wave of the Royal hand is all that is required to adjust the output of state-controlled media. A complaint from former Lebanese Prime Minister and Saudi citizen Saad Hariri concerning articles critical of him in the Saudi-owned Al-Hayat and Asharq Al-Awsat newspapers prompted a directive to "stop these type of articles" from the Foreign Ministry.

This is a general overview of the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s strategy in dealing with the media. WikiLeaks' Saudi Cables contain numerous other examples that form an indictment of both the Kingdom and the state of the media globally.

* * *

Saudi Arabia's only official response to the Wikileaks release came from the Twitter account of the foreign ministry:

 

 

Translation:

Avoid accessing any website for leaked documents or information which may be incorrect, with the intent of harming national security....  the documents may be rigged to help the enemies of the homeland in achieving their goals.

"Enemies of the homeland", such as Edward Snowden, revealing just how the corrupt deep state operates.

It was not clear just what the punishment for "accessing" websites which contain the leaked files may be, although treason may be a fair assumption. After all, to quote George Orwell, "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

The leaked Saudi files, of which the first batch has been released, can be found here.

 

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Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:11 | 6218109 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Release the 28 pages and get the US bombing some freakin palaces already.

Nuke em NATO.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:13 | 6218114 The Rolling Thunder
The Rolling Thunder's picture

I'm making over $7k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. This is what I do... www.earnmore9.com

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:32 | 6218135 Boris Alatovkrap
Boris Alatovkrap's picture

You are come work for Boris! Maybe you not make $7K per month, but all ZHer is know you are tell lie about what you are really earn. But if you experience stripper, maybe you are make even more. Please to bring own rubber boot and thick leather glove.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 14:34 | 6219378 strannick
strannick's picture

Another ZH gem.

More savagery from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

I'm sure women's empowering proponent Hilary will call these killers to task. Probably will place sanctions against them,.like with Russia, or revoke favored nations status to pressure them to act civilized, if they won't be civilized.

Or of course she.may just be mouthing these principles to appeal to voters, so she can get the power she really craves. 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:47 | 6218162 Boris Alatovkrap
Boris Alatovkrap's picture

Boris is ask Muslim friend for translation of video dialog. Is go something like as this...

Arab husband (yelling repeatedly): You are hold still b*tch! Hold still! You are no longer to spending Hashim's money, you are die like dog!

Arab wife (screaming like arab wife can scream): You are cheap SOB! You have p*nis of small household rodent!

This is go on for several minute, and still cannot sever head, guard is approach and say,

Arab Military Personnel: Dude! You are hold knfe wrong. Put sharp side of blade on kneck.

Eventually head is sever after repeat reciprocating motion.

Truck drive by to sell frozen ice treat to crowd. Special deal if purchase two item, get three item 50% off.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 20:28 | 6218237 Lumberjack
Lumberjack's picture

Then enter Lorena Bobbitt. The woman lives and he makes $7000 doing a porn film.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:54 | 6218357 conscious being
conscious being's picture

The woman is dead. I think this is the video Boris is refering to.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cf-npDX9rO4

 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:22 | 6218127 Bobbo
Bobbo's picture

Release the 28 pages !!!   Uncensored !!!   Names, dates and what they did.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:30 | 6218138 Boris Alatovkrap
Boris Alatovkrap's picture

Boris is confusing...! Why is Arab state execute beheading in secret!? This is not for making of sense! Whole idea of beheading is deterent, and deterent is important for public disclosure. This is crazy manic like is Dr. Strangelove where Russia scientist is invent doomsday device but is forget to tell any body. By the way, Russia is actually invent doomsday device, are you not hear about Russia doomsday device?

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:37 | 6218146 bahaar
bahaar's picture

Because behaedings are not deterrents.  They are cover-ups.  The said immigrant from Burma (probably Rohinja muslim) perhaps complained about rape and ill-treatment by her employers (many are house slaves who work 18 hrs a day). 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:50 | 6218170 Boris Alatovkrap
Boris Alatovkrap's picture

Boris is laugh so hard. ZH advertiser is "ArabDate.com" and is sell Arab wife to anxious male consumer. Google AdWord site analytics is some time work TOO well.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 20:03 | 6218193 Robot Traders Mom
Robot Traders Mom's picture

"Release the 28 pages and get the US bombing some freakin palaces already. Nuke em NATO."

 

So...

1. Fall for an obvious US/Israeli lie/distraction

2. Create more global chaos 

...I'm sad the ZH community has devolved this far. 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 22:01 | 6218366 antoninus wilson
antoninus wilson's picture

The Notorious Banned FOX 9-11-2001 News Footage Israeli/Mossad Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbkQddEDPs0

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:13 | 6218113 SheepRevolution
SheepRevolution's picture

Now if only we could do this to the global banksters...

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 20:05 | 6218194 Boris Alatovkrap
Boris Alatovkrap's picture

Maybe cannot execute ALL central banker, but may if invite Yellen to Dubai for conference, secret guard is find Yellen in room have disgusting girating exchange with lesbian trio, at least can exact justice on worst of bunch. Of course, any video is very censor because of disgusting scene, but later, beheading is available for public consumption.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:13 | 6218115 unicorn
unicorn's picture

well done wikileaks!

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:24 | 6218125 Bobbo
Bobbo's picture

Wikileaks is a Mossad front.  All "releases" of information are censored, altered, or added to by Mossad for specific purposes.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/06/20/leakywicks-the-nasty-truth/

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 20:19 | 6218217 Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs's picture

Veterans Today has their own credibility issues.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 20:32 | 6218243 BigJim
BigJim's picture

+! for the effective use of understatement

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:20 | 6218122 Thick Willy
Thick Willy's picture

Sounds like this is wide spread.  New business model, start up a new DrudgeReport like website and sell out to whoever wants to pay hush money to not run negative stories on Saudi Arabia, Islam, bankers, whoever.  On that note, is ZH on the take?

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:23 | 6218128 Thick Willy
Thick Willy's picture

Alternative business model: start up some decentralized communication mechanism (Skype, WhatsApp).  Sell for astronomical and absurd sum to Microsoft, Facebook, or some other American tech giant so they can convert it into a client-server model (centralized).

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:30 | 6218137 Panic Mode
Panic Mode's picture

Bravo, they are on target to achieve the milestone of 200 by the end of this year. Such achievement should be awarded by the hypocritical human right organisation, more like human left.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:59 | 6218364 conscious being
conscious being's picture

More like - Soros gatekeeper organization. You are only allowed to be enraged and offended by what you are allowed to be enraged and offended by.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 10:08 | 6218970 Marco
Marco's picture

You won't find much positive about Saudi Arabia from say Amnesty International ... sure, if you believed the media their only reports are on Assad and Eastern Ukraine but that's not really their fault.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:36 | 6218145 Colonel Klink
Colonel Klink's picture

May as well change the headline to "How the ZOG controls the American media".  Same thing, just different country.  And we think we're free.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:40 | 6218157 just the tip
just the tip's picture

in the case of US media, the saudis don't buy it they pound it.  just ask campbell brown about her career reporting from under a saudi prince.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:46 | 6218164 bahaar
bahaar's picture

Saudis routinely ill-treat unskilled workers (usually immigrants from poorer countries like Pakistan,India , Burma, Sri-Lanka etc).  They beat them up, rape them, withhold pay.  These workers can't leave because they have to surrender their passports to the authorities when they enter.  Their passports will be restored to them only on their employers say so.   And if they dare raise their voice then, off with their heads.  One can understand an odd householder or so ill-treating a worker but a state aiding and abetting such behaviour???And believe me, this kind of treatment is seen all throughout wealthy Muslim nations.  The others may not behead poor immigrants, but mete out very harsh treatment.   And then these guys have the temerity to complain about muslims being ill-treated in the rest of the world.  Most poorer muslims are better off outside ME. 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:01 | 6218292 goldhedge
goldhedge's picture

Allah is not GOD.

 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:57 | 6218356 antoninus wilson
antoninus wilson's picture

house of saud are jewish royalty
black cube of mecca same as the cube on the rabbi head at the head butt wall in israhell.
these khazars are saturn satanists,

any ancient history of arabia felix has been erased by the in the closet donmeh jewisher called the house of saud

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_of_early_Islamic_heritage_site...

syria,iraq now yemen oded yinon
when israel is mighty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSy6ENVAJlY

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 22:56 | 6218441 Brazen Heist
Brazen Heist's picture

The whole religion thing is just retarded, god is the very same concept for all these religions, it represents everythingness and all that is beyond us and cannot be comprehended. Why they bother fighting over the fine print and how to best call that entity is beyond me. Who cares?

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 13:48 | 6219479 strannick
strannick's picture

Actually, Jesus is different.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 23:12 | 6218468 DoolieDoink
DoolieDoink's picture

The Saudi rulling family may proove to be better than forcing regime change !!!

USA failed abysmally with regime change in IRAQ and totally fucked things up in the whole region.

These Saudi ruling arseholes are better than alternatives that are successfully gaining power in the region.

And dont even think that democracy is possible there !!!!!!

 

 

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 01:08 | 6218625 Ms No
Ms No's picture

I was reading some of that and it's garbled and hard to make out but I thought this was interesting.

"but we can remember when the price point was $28 a barrel.... $100 a barrel that means the Saudis need that money.... I can't predict the oil price but.... A fiscal squeeze if oil goes below $80 a barrel or $70 a barrel would be a very interesting challenge"

 

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 04:11 | 6218731 pcrs
pcrs's picture

More interesting perhaps is how do western governments control their media? 

A lot of regulation and taxes perhaps so only a few big news corporations remain which have to accept pre written copy from the governmen to save costs.

Or controlling education facilities of journalism.

it's more subtle in any case than SA.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 06:55 | 6218793 Raul44
Raul44's picture

Lol I clicked on video, not sure I am ok...

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 12:55 | 6219341 withglee
withglee's picture

How does a story like this go unnoticed?

Why did WTC7 fall down?

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