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Jehane Noujaim’s documentary Control Room, which offered a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of Al-Jazeera during the recent Iraq war, provided a framework for this panel to discuss the structure, viewership, and perspectives of the Al-Jazeera and Al-Hurra television networks, the so-called "media war" between the Arab world and the United States, and the US government's desire to win the "hearts and minds" of Arabs.

Arab viewers, according to Hafez al-Mirazi, are attuned to the differences between independent and government-controlled media and recognize Al-Jazeera as an independent news network. He stated that Al-Jazeera currently relies on public funds from Qatar, but hopes to increase its advertising revenue enough to be able to move from a BBC model to a CNN model in the near future. Norm Pattiz argued that Al-Jazeera’s importance in the region cannot be underestimated. The network, he contended, has become a symbol of Arab unity, and viewers perceive it as the “quintessential presenter of truth in the region.” Pattiz, who was instrumental in the creation of Al-Hurra, argued that the network, which receives funding from the US government, is not government-controlled. The Broadcasting Board of Governors, the independent federal agency that oversees both Al-Hurra and Radio Sawa, strives to protect journalistic independence and integrity from outside influences, including other US government entities. Its mission, Pattiz stated, includes promoting freedom and democracy through the spread of accurate information, presenting the US from a different perspective, and actively “competing in the marketplace of ideas” by being a news and information network that provides a variety of additional programming. Pattiz recognized the difficulties a US-sponsored channel faces in the Arab world, but noted the network is finding an audience in the region. Privatization of Al-Hurra, however, does not appear likely in the near future because of what Pattiz considered the inability of the Arab market to adequately support commercial broadcasting; as a result, the station will continue to remain a part of the Middle East Television Network. Pattiz charged Al-Jazeera with engaging in inflammatory marketing techniques, while al-Mirazi questioned the use of taxpayers’ money "to support something that is based on a wrong assumption," namely, that anti-Americanism in the Arab world can be diminished solely through Arabic-language media programming and other public diplomacy efforts. Both panelists provided statistics regarding the viewership and perceived reliability of their networks in the Arab world.

Each panelist agreed that no "media war" exists between US and Arab media outlets. Pattiz argued that the current situation provides an opportunity to expose people in the region to a variety of perspectives. Al-Mirazi declared that there is no "media war" nor should there be one in the future. Anthony Shadid, who was stationed in Baghdad during and after the US invasion, praised the bravery of the Al-Jazeera reporters in Iraq.

Panelists discussed US efforts to win the "hearts and minds" of Arabs through the use of media. Shadid, Noujaim, and al-Mirazi agreed that the US should focus on policy rather than perception. The increasing unpopularity of the US in the Arab world, Shadid stated, reflects US policy blunders rather than inaccurate Arab perspectives. Al-Mirazi argued that the US must focus on policy alterations and damage control instead of public diplomacy and marketing techniques. All panelists agreed that active examples of American democracy—especially an engaged and proactive Congress—positively impacts the Arab world by providing examples of how democracies function.

During the question and answer session, al-Mirazi discussed current and future plans for Al-Jazeera, including its recent adoption of a journalist code of ethics similar to those found in the US and the anticipated November 2005 launch of the English version of Al-Jazeera. Audience members questioned Pattiz about US government influence on Al-Hurra, including the charge—which he called “complete hogwash”—that a permanent US State Department representative is located at the network’s headquarters. When asked how the US can promote democracy in the Arab world through Al-Hurra while also buttressing authoritarian governments in the region, Pattiz claimed that the network acts as a separate and independent government-sponsored agency. Programming on American values, culture, and history, al-Mirazi argued, would be more effective if it was co-produced with existing Arab networks rather than through a new US-created network.