American Ports and the United Arab Emirates: Media Influence on National Image

1. American Ports and the United Arab Emirates:Media Influence on National Image Lee B. Becker University of Georgia & Ayman Mansour Nada Cairo University

2. National Image • A foreign country's image among the U.S. public can be expected to have impact on U.S. foreign policy. • Elected officials and their appointees in the foreign policy establishment view public opinion as one of the constraints on their choice of policy options.

3. Nature and Origins of National Image • The literature suggests that U.S. public images of countries are shaped by • cultural and religious links • the historical relationship of that country with the U.S. • and current geopolitics. • The literature does not say much about the role of the media.

4. Image in U.S. of United Arab Emirates • The United Arab Emirates had not been prominent in American foreign policy until 1990. • Saddam Hussein threatened both U.A.E. and Kuwait. • The Emirates were a part of the coalition that defeated Iraq after Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. • Poll archives in the U.S. did not contain any questions about the U.A.E. until the ports controversy.

5. Dubai Ports World • In early 2006, American media focused on the attempted purchase by Dubai Ports World of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. • The purchase would have given the company control over commercial port operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. • For several months, the issue played out in the U.S. media, with the 24-hour cable and satellite channels playing a prominent role. • The U.S. Congress, over the objection of the Bush administration, thwarted the takeover of operation of the U.S. seaports by DP World.

6. DP World and U.A.E. Image • Given the attention paid to this purchase in the U.S. media, it seems likely that it had an impact on the image of the U.A.E. in the United States. • This paper looks at the media coverage of the controversy and the public response to it.

7. Questions • What roles did the image of the United Arab Emirates have on the Dubai Ports World controversy in the U.S.? • What are the consequences of the controversy for the image of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S. in the future?

8. Methodology • Examined all the poll data from period. • Selected two polls for secondary analysis that had uses of media as measure • Gallup/CNN/USA Today Poll of Feb. 28-March 1. Sample: U.S. adult population; N=1,020. • Pew Research Center for the People & The Press Poll of March 8-12. Sample: U.S. adult population; N=1,405. • Reviewed media coverage of the story.

9. Media Examined • Associated Press • International and National Services • Broadcast Television • ABC • CBS • NBC • Cable Television—or the equivalent of satellite television • CNBC • CNN • Fox News Network • MSNBC

12. Characteristics of Media Coverage • AP • Extensive coverage, largely focused on the “facts” of the story. • Broadcast Television • ABC coverage was more negative, but, in general, three broadcast networks also focused on straight reporting about the controversy. • Cable/Satellite Television • CNN coverage was most extensive and provided the most context. Much of the coverage involved interviews with “experts.” • No consistent frame for the coverage with the examined media.

19. Conclusions • In the new media world, the impact of media greatly limited. • The media may be able to transmit “facts,” but they do not shape the opinions. • Triumph of active audience. Audience members integrate and interpret the facts and find messages they want. • Unlikely DP World deal would have been challenged if U.A.E. image had been more positive. • Partisan politics and weakness of president played a role. • U.A.E. National Image probably was harmed by deal. • Protectonism gained.