Americans urge censorship of terror content amid Qatar media row

LONDON: Most American citizens believe that the Qatar-funded Al Jazeera TV network promotes a negative image of the US abroad, with many saying it also acts as a platform for terror groups linked to Osama bin Laden, according to an Arab News/YouGov poll.

The survey of 2,263 people found a high awareness of Al Jazeera among Americans — but also a generally negative public opinion about the network.

Slightly more than half said that Al Jazeera has a negative influence on the US image abroad, the survey revealed. And a majority of those with an opinion on the matter also believe that the network gives a platform to terror groups linked to Osama bin Laden — with 44 percent agreeing with that statement, and only 18 percent saying the opposite. The rest of the US respondents — 38 percent — were unsure.

The Arab News/YouGov poll, conducted in July, was carried out to mark the 60 days since the start of the diplomatic rift between

Doha and its Arab neighbors Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain.

At one point during the crisis, the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ) called for a shutdown of Al Jazeera over its editorial guidelines, which allegedly permitted terror-related content.

Al Jazeera executives have denied such claims. Arab News contacted Al Jazeera requesting comment but did not receive a response.