Our job is to build understanding: MBC Chairman

In a wide-ranging interview with a pan-Arab magazine ‘Laha,’ MBC chairman Sheikh Walid al-Ibrahim said the group was working on a multi-platform English channel and developing a biopic on Saddam Hussain – all part of efforts to promote understanding between the Arab and Western worlds.

“There’s no doubt that the responsibilities of Arab media have multiplied after the tragic events of Sept. 11,” al-Ibrahim told Laha. “The message became that of openness of the first degree.”

In an interview published in the June issue of the popular Beirut-based women’s lifestyle monthly, he conceded that it was no easy task.

“Some people in the West…judge the entire Arab and Islamic world based on the doings of a few rotten apples who claim to be Muslim, but are far from it,” he said. “Those types of reactions were expected, even normal, bearing in mind the catastrophic nature of what happened on a human, political, economic, and cultural level.”

English service

As part of MBC’s efforts to reach out to Westerners, Sheikh Walid told Laha the process of preparing for an English-language service was currently underway.

“We are currently conducting a business study in order to identify target markets and the technical facilities we need in order to deliver this service via different platforms, not necessarily satellite TV alone.”

Al-Ibrahim said he hoped his investments in some Hollywood movies, along with those of other Arab investors, “can contribute to changing the stereotypical image that some people in the West apply to Arabs and Muslims.”

Al-Ibrahim, honored as the “Knight” of Arab media by the Arab League, said MBC was not promoting Western values, but rather helping Arab viewers to reach out to other cultures.

“We have been isolated enough in the past and it is time for us today to face the world as it is so as to understand it better, interact with it, and have an impact on it.

“We don’t necessarily have to mimic other people’s lifestyles, but it is important for us to understand them and get to know more about their values, how they think, and how they live. They have their own way of life and their own traditions, and we have ours.”

Saddam Series

Sheikh Walid confirmed reports that MBC plans to produce a TV series about Iraq’s late president Saddam Hussain, in a similar vein as its hit series ‘King Farouq,’ the last king of Egypt.

“There is a group of Iraqi intellectuals who are working on studying Saddam Hussein as an Arab phenomenon. They will present us with their point of view, and based on that, we will decide the direction the series will take,” al-Ibrahim told Laha.

“[But] we will definitely not be adopting any religious or even sectarian points of view. We will take our time producing the show so that it comes out complete and based on reality.”

Regarding the political stands adopted by Al Arabiya News Channel, al-Ibrahim said: “We don’t endorse any specific political line and the channel is open to diverse political orientations.”

The MBC chairman said his channels never promote radical characters or parties, such as Osama Bin Laden or al-Qaeda, and offer opposition parties fair airtime.

“Examples are abundant, and you can check our coverage of opposition movements in many countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, and others. Al Arabiya focuses on the news and breaking news and whatever concerns the viewers, whether they support the government or the opposition.”

Cost of Arabic drama

Sheikh Walid, named Media Man of the Year at the 4th MENA Cristal Awards, sent a stern warning to drama producers in the Arab world, saying exaggerated prices of Arabic TV serials are driving broadcasters to seek non-Arab alternatives.

“Arabic dramas take a completely irrational direction when it comes to pricing. Shows today sell for ridiculous prices based on the names of their stars…So today I send a clear and frank message to Arab producers and stars -- If they keep going down the same irrational path they are taking today, MBC will give the viewers alternatives to Arabic dramas.”

Al-Ibrahim pointed to MBC’s recent successes with Mexican soaps, as well as the two Turkish series – Sanawaat Al Dayaa and Noor – which have drawn high ratings and proven to be hits with Arab audiences.

“I hence direct the same message, with all due concern, to producers from the Gulf, Egypt, Syria and other places. Perhaps by re-evaluating their prices, they could help bring more Arabic shows to the viewers,” al-Ibrahim added.

Women’s issues

Al-Ibrahim, a strong supporter of women’s empowerment, urged Arab women to fight for their rights.

Asked by Laha Magazine whether he was in favor of Saudi women driving cars, the MBC chairman said: “Yes, I am with the notion that women should drive cars in Saudi Arabia and everywhere else.”

He recounted an incident when a Saudi woman won one of two Hummers in a recent MBC competition promoting Indiana Jones.

“She requested that she receive it and drive it herself in Dubai, and my answer was, “Of course, why not?” God bless her,” said al-Ibrahim.

MBC airs several popular shows designed to advance women’s issues, both in Arabic and English, he said.

The New York Times wrote that ‘Kalam Nawaaem’ on MBC1 was the first show that dealt with women’s issues in the Arab world. The channel also airs the Oprah Winfrey show on MBC4, which is designed as a specialized channel for the New Arab Woman.

“Women should take the initiative and demand that they be given their rights, and we are ready to provide them with the media support they need,” al-Ibrahim pledged.

Religious channels

Asked about plans for an Islamic channel, al-Ibrahim said: “A show like “Hajar Az-zawiya” hosted by Sheikh Dr. Salman Al Odah on MBC1 is more useful than a hundred religious channels on offer today. We have higher viewer ratings than all the Arab religious channels combined.”

Al-Ibrahim said the strength of MBC Group was in “solid brand names that enjoy high consumer loyalty from viewers and the confidence of advertisers.”

He acknowledged that some Saudi fundamentalists are waging a war against the MBC Group, but downplayed the effect.

“They may be loud, but they do not represent the reality of Saudi society. The evidence is that our channels in Saudi Arabia have the highest viewer ratings despite the inclination of a few people towards raising doubts and falsifying facts.”

Based in Dubai, MBC Group includes six television channels: MBC1 (general family entertainment), MBC2 (24-hour movies), MBC3 (children’s entertainment), MBC4 (entertainment for the new Arab woman), MBC Action (action series and movies), and AlArabiya (the 24-hour Arabic language news channel).

The group also includes two radio stations: MBC FM (Gulf music) and Panorama FM (contemporary Arabic hit music); as well as O3 productions, a specialized documentary production unit, and Middle East News agency (MEN), a news gathering agency.

It has several online platforms: www.MBC.net, www.alarabiya.net, and www.alaswaq.net.