Would you appear on Al Jazeera America?

Feb. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- MIAMI (Feb. 18, 2014) – Last December South Florida public relations expert John P. David wrote a blog post about the movie Anchorman 2, and after it ran, a producer from Al Jazeera America called and asked if he would be interested in appearing on the cable network to discuss the marketing of the Will Ferrell movie. The invitation made David, president of David PR Group, pause and think.

As background, Al Jazeera America (AJAM for short) is owned by the Qatar-based Al Jazeera Media Network. Launched last August, it competes with CNN, HLN, MSNBC and Fox News Channel. The network hired senior executives from ABC News, CNN, CBS and MSNBC to oversee programming and brought in top talent including former host of CNN’s American Morning Soledad O’Brien, CNN’s Ali Velshi, CBS’s Sheila MacVicar and former Good Morning America news anchor Antonio Mora.

“On paper it seems like a straightforward decision. A national network, run by U.S.- based news executives and staffed with well-known faces wants to interview you,” said David.

His blog post on the topic (miamiprblog.com) details the underlying concern for appearing on the network: is the United States ready for an Arab-owned news network, especially one that is synonymous to many Americans with publishing messages from Osama Bin Laden and other terrorism related news.

David ultimately decided to accept the invitation but due to logistical reasons, the network ended up using a Hollywood-based expert to talk about the movie.

“Twelve years after the 9/11 attacks, are we OK with receiving our news from a source so closely aligned with the Muslim world? Would there be perceived guilt by association?  I’m not sure what the answers are,” said David in his blog.

For more information about David PR Group, call 305-255-0035 or visit www.davidpr.com.