Al Jazeera: Propaganda or Journalism?

The term “Caliphate” evokes images of medieval imperial theocracy, a system that once dominated the Mediterranean and Balkans. Yet, as we examine Qatar’s growing influence in Europe, we are forced to confront what such a concept might look like in the modern age. The 21st-century “Caliphate” is no longer built through conquest but through wealth, media influence, and strategic alliances.

Qatar, despite its diminutive size and third-world governance, has become a formidable player on the world stage, using its vast wealth not only to shape the global conversation but also to manipulate internal European politics. The Balkans, with its historical ties to Islam and recent history of war, has become one of Qatar’s primary footholds in Europe. This influence raises pressing questions: how do we preserve the values of free speech while resisting the manipulation of foreign state-sponsored narratives?

“Can society; secular, Christian, or Muslim, resist the narratives of foreign governments?”

Stefan Tompson

Founder Visegrad24

A Balkan Gateway

The collapse of Yugoslavia in the 1990s left the region fragmented along ethnic and religious lines. Amid this chaos, radical Islamist ideologies, fueled by foreign actors, found fertile ground. During the Siege of Sarajevo, jihadist fighters from Chechnya, Central Asia, and the Gulf states formed the El-Mujahid unit, an international brigade embedded within the Bosnian army. Far from acting out of altruism, the oil-rich Gulf nations used these alliances to extend their influence into Europe.

Today, the signs of that influence are unmistakable. Al Jazeera Bosnia, Qatar’s most successful foreign-language media outlet after Al Jazeera English, caters to the region with a narrative often aligned with Doha’s geopolitical interests. On the streets of Sarajevo, the presence of conservative Islamic dress and ideology underscores a cultural shift that mirrors Qatar’s exported version of political Islam.

The Media as a Weapon

Qatar’s soft power strategy is perhaps most visible in its use of Al Jazeera. Proponents argue that it’s a legitimate news network, but critics highlight its role in spreading divisive narratives and propaganda. Portuguese officials recall fabricated footage during Egypt’s political unrest, where Al Jazeera misrepresented unarmed military helicopters as firing on civilians. These instances, while isolated, suggest a pattern of media manipulation aimed at undermining stability in regions outside Qatar’s borders.

This influence extends beyond the Balkans. As Hermann Tertsch, a Spanish Member of European Parliament (MEP), warns: “Qatar has conquered Europe. Its interests are everywhere, from football to politics.” Such claims are not hyperbole when we consider the 2022 revelations of Qatar’s bribery scandal within the European Parliament. The so-called “Qatargate” scandal revealed how Doha funneled money to European officials to silence criticism of its human rights record, raising alarms about the depth of its penetration into EU institutions.

Selective Free Speech

The European Union has not been consistent in its approach to foreign influence. In 2022, the EU banned Russian media outlets like RT and Sputnik following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing concerns over propaganda. However, no such measures have been taken against Al Jazeera, despite mounting evidence of its role in spreading divisive narratives. Why the double standard? Critics argue that economic and strategic interests, such as Qatar’s investments in European infrastructure and sports, often outweigh concerns about human rights and media manipulation.

Denis Radke, a German MEP, highlights the importance of addressing this issue without alienating Europe’s Muslim communities: “We have millions of perfectly integrated Muslim people in our society. It’s up to them to help distinguish between Islam and Islamism.” The failure to confront Qatar’s influence risks conflating these distinctions, fueling division rather than fostering unity.

The Challenge of Censorship

The debate over banning state-sponsored media is fraught with complications. Aleksandr Vondra, a Czech MEP, acknowledges the dilemma: “If Al Jazeera acts as a media arm of Hamas or spreads propaganda, we might understand the need to limit it. But we must tread carefully to avoid undermining our principles.” On the other hand, some argue that censorship only strengthens the grip of authoritarian regimes. Belgian MEP Tom Vandendriessche warns: “Censorship is the tool of those in power who fear being replaced. Lies must be countered with truth, not silence.”

This balancing act becomes even more challenging in a world where narratives, true or false, can spread globally within seconds. The West must decide whether it is willing to compromise its values to protect against foreign influence or find alternative ways to counteract harmful narratives without resorting to bans.

Europe’s Crossroads

The question at the heart of this debate is whether Europe can resist the influence of foreign powers while upholding its own democratic principles. Qatar’s influence in the Balkans and beyond demonstrates the vulnerability of open societies to manipulation. Its wealth has enabled it to export an ideology that challenges Europe’s secular and liberal values, often under the guise of media and cultural exchange.

However, this is not just Qatar’s story. It is a test of Europe’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty and principles. The solution cannot be found solely in bans or censorship. It requires a concerted effort to build resilience within European institutions and societies. This includes fostering stronger partnerships with Europe’s Muslim communities to counter radical ideologies from within while ensuring that state-sponsored narratives are met with transparency and accountability.

As Stefan Tompson poignantly asks, “Can society; secular, Christian, or Muslim, resist the narratives of foreign governments?” The answer lies not just in policy but in the collective will to defend the values that define the free world. In this battle of ideas, Europe must stand firm, lest it lose the very freedoms it seeks to protect.