Arab Press Growing Teeth

CS Monitor has a fine story about Al Jazeera and other Arab media outlets successfully shaming Arab governments into contributing aid to tsunami victims. I think it's a key point to note, particularly in light of analysis such as the Deptartment of Defense's Defense Science Board's report on Strategic Communication that I reported on in November. Credibility is currency in the cultural battle for hearts and minds, and stories like this demonstrate that the new independent Arab press has it in spades. The West needs to engage, rather than ridicule, organizations like Al Jazeera. They have what we need. Their opinions and positions ought to be taken seriously.