A Question of Consistency
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union swiftly banned Kremlin-controlled broadcasters RT and Sputnik. The reasoning was clear: these were not independent news outlets but propaganda tools of a hostile power. That same logic must now be applied to Al Jazeera.
Europe is not only targeted by Moscow. Radical Islamism has claimed hundreds of lives across Europe over the past decade. The ideology behind this violence spreads not only in mosques and online forums but also via state-funded media channels. Al Jazeera, owned and operated by the Qatari regime, is one of the most influential vehicles of Islamist soft power globally, reaching homes across the EU via satellite, cable, and digital platforms.
While RT was sanctioned for disseminating Kremlin narratives, Al Jazeera continues to broadcast voices affiliated with Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Taliban, portraying them not as terrorists but as “resistance fighters.” Its Arabic-language coverage, in particular, aligns consistently with Qatar’s foreign policy objectives, including support for the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist actors.
This is not independent journalism, it is narrative warfare.
Radicalization Through Disinformation
A striking example of the threat Al Jazeera poses to European societies is its role in spreading the false and inflammatory claim that Sweden systematically kidnaps Muslim children. This conspiracy theory, originating in Islamist circles, was amplified by Al Jazeera and echoed by social media influencers. It sparked angry demonstrations, diplomatic tensions, and violent rhetoric against Swedish authorities.
Tragically, in 2023, a terrorist who murdered two Swedes in Brussels cited this exact disinformation campaign to justify his act. When a state-funded broadcaster helps radicalize individuals through calculated misinformation, it crosses a red line. Just as Europe acted decisively against Russian disinformation, it must confront the Islamist variant with equal rigor.
Time for EU Action
Al Jazeera is already restricted or banned in several Muslim-majority countries- including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco, and Tunisia - often citing national security concerns or incitement. Even Swiss telecom providers recently stopped carrying Al Jazeera Arabic. These countries recognize what the EU still largely ignores: Al Jazeera functions as a geopolitical instrument, not a media outlet.
The European Council should immediately initiate a formal review to determine whether Al Jazeera qualifies as a state-linked broadcaster under EU regulations. In the meantime, distribution, particularly of Arabic-language content, should be temporarily suspended, as it poses the greatest risk of radicalization.
Foreign state media do not have a right to broadcast in Europe if their content incites division, glorifies terrorism, or spreads disinformation aimed at undermining European societies. The EU drew a line when it banned RT; now it must demonstrate that this decision was based on principle, not politics. If the standard was legitimate then, it must be applied equally now.
Al Jazeera is not just a media outlet. It is a weapon in an ideological war, and Europe must stop helping Qatar aim it.
Charlie Weimers
Swedish Politician | Member of the European Parliament
