Structure

“Al-Jazeera” is divided into eight chapters, plus an epilogue. Each chapter explores one key aspect of the news network in great detail, with the end of the chapter usually serving to summarize what has been said so far and connect it to the greater question of the role of Al-Jazeera in influencing Arab audiences. For example, the chapter called “Big Voice, Tiny Country: Al-Jazeera in Qatar” succinctly summarizes the place of Al-Jazeera in its home country of Qatar by examining how the Qatari public and government view the network, and then also mentioning various attitudes held by neighbouring governments.

The general progression of topics explored through the chapters of the book is as follows: an introduction of the idea of an Arab public mentality, Al-Jazeera’s creation, issues of political mobilization in the Arab world, Al-Jazeera’s place in Qatar, the controversy surrounding Al-Jazeera’s talk shows...