Robert Fisk Gives Talk in Tunisia, Says Arab Spring Started in Lebanon
Renowned Middle East journalist and author Robert Fisk delivered a talk in downtown Tunis this week, touching on subjects ranging from nuclear weapons in Iran to the growing influence of Al Jazeera in the Middle East.
The talk concluded the first project of the Journalism Foundation, a non-profit devoted to promoting free press around the world and headed by Simon Kelner, former editor-in-chief of British daily The Independent. The project featured experts from the City University of London, who attended the conference to train young Tunisian journalists on the subject of, ’how to report in a democracy.’
Fisk, never one to shy away from a controversial issue, took advantage of his time in the country, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Arab Spring, to lay out his theory that the movement, or the “Arab awakening” as he preferred to call it, actually began in Lebanon in 2005. Fisk saw a continuity between the 2005 revolt against Syrian influence in Lebanon, the protests against the fraudulent elections in Iran in 2009, and the series of uprisings following Tunisia’s ouster of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.
Addressing the crowd, Fisk acknowledged Tunisia’s contribution: “Of course, you have the spark, Mr. Bouazizi.”
To a room filled with Tunisian reporters comprising both the old guard and the new post-Ben Ali cadre, Fisk issued an impassioned plea for journalists to go beyond the official discourse of governments and give voice to the powerless. He accused, in particular, the American press of falling short of this challenge.
“There is a press that is an echo chamber for the government,” said Fisk. “It’s my idea that the relation between the press and the government, especially in America, is parasitic.”
It was not only the American news media that drew Fisk’s criticism. Fisk called the Al Jazeera television network a “weapon of mass persuasion,” and accused it of attempting to push a political agenda in line with the Qatari government’s interests.
Fisk did not mince words: “Let’s be clear, the Emir of Qatar is the boss of Al Jazeera.”
The Journalism Foundation was launched in December of last year by Simon Kelner, with the mission of fostering the growth of pro-democratic journalism. Its board is chaired by Evgeny Lebedev, the Russian owner of The Evening Standard, who recently purchased The Independent.
When questioned by a journalist from Tunisian daily Al Assabah as to whether the purchase would compromise the integrity of The Independent, at which Fisk has been the Middle East correspondent for many years, Fisk responded without hestitation.
“I can assure you that since Mr. Lebedev purchased the paper not one word of my writing has been changed. If anything else was the case I would not be standing here today,” said Fisk.
Related posts:
With due respect Sadab, all those attributes you mentioned mean nothing to me, even if they are true. Besides being a harsh critic of the U.S. foreing policy does not add to his badges of honor in my view.
Additionally, he has no PROOF to accuse Al Jazeera, even if Al Jazeera refrains from criticising the Quatar goverment for smart reasons. Many Tunisians would live in Quatar now if offered the opportunity. Would you dispute that? Moreover, Al Jazeera was more instrumental in the Arab Spring than this guy’s 30 years can be. Would you dispute that?
In the interest of full disclosure I must add that I am really biased in favor of Al Jazeera, and I will not hesitate to defend it at any time. I am very proud of Al Al Jazeera and I hope it prospers. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has respectfully acknowledged that Al Jazeera can be a model on many levels for American major news networks. I rest my case.
oops..it says ERROR: That reCAPTCHA response was incorrect
Those who are saying all these bad stuff about Robert Fisk should read his book, ” The great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East” first and then talk. or comment or whatever..He is a staunch defender of the Palestinian cause…Is a harsh critique of U.S foreign policy and has covered the Middle east for more than 3 decades.
Hi Mr Fisk,
It was a really preposterous statement:
starting from Lebanon, then fraudulent election in Iran!!!!, and then Arab spring…
it was not the statement of a free journalist,
opportunistic one. study and think a little more dear Robert.
About a month or so after the ouster of Ben Ali, I recall an article by Robert Fisk in which he wrote that democratisation was impossible in Tunisia. Now he’s visiting Tunisia trying to convince everybody it all actually began in Lebanon.
I’m not sure I like this guy. He seems to be one of those “compassionate orientalists” the arab revolutions can do without.
Mr. Fisk, “I can assure you that since the Quatar govermentthe controls the country, not one word of Al Jazeera’s reporting has been changed. If anything else was the case you would not be standing there today,” said Me.
Thank you Mr. Fisk!