US funds Islamic 'terrorist' messages on Arab TV channel
NBC News reported Wednesday on an Arabic television channel, sponsored by the US "to counter the perceived anti-US bias on something like al-Jazeera," which has been charged with having itself become a propaganda outlet for terrorist groups. Last December, it broadcast a lengthy speech by the leader of Hezbollah attacking Israel, followed by Iranian President Ahmadinejad's skeptical remarks about the Holocaust.
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes has insisted that the channel is independent and "we don't run it." Kenneth Tomlinson, who was recently forced out of his position as chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors following accusations of financial improprieties and mismanagement, told NBC it was "inexcusable" but claimed "I didn't know what was happening."
NBC concludes by stating that the station currently appears to be far more pro-Western in its coverage.
The following video is from NBC's Nightly News, broadcast on June 6.
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