A majority of Arab journalists are not anti-American but consider themselves agents of change – much like their Western colleagues. Most journalists in the Arab world consider their primary mission as that of driving political and social reform in the Middle East, a just released study by The American University in Cairo found.

"The findings shatter most of the American stereotypes about Arab journalists and undermine the very basis of U.S. public diplomacy strategy since 9/11," said the survey's lead author, Lawrence Pintak, director of the Kamal Adham Center for Journalism Training and Research at AUC.

Before you trash Al-Jazeera take a moment to digest these findings. It must be recalled that the launch of Al-Jazeera in 1996 sparked nothing short of a revolution in the Arab world. It took away the monopolies previously held by the various Arab governments, pushing ajar the door to greater freedom of expression.

"The ripple effect can be seen in the explosion of free-to-air Arab satellite channels, which now number more than 300, in the growing aspiration for independence on the part of print journalists across the region, and in the rise of bloggers, who are spearheading a newly aggressive form of reporting," reports the study.

But at the same time, no Arab journalist is completely free; every news organization has often self-imposed "red lines" around subjects that are taboo.

While Arab journalists overwhelmingly condemn the United States' politics and actions in the Middle East, 62 percent of Arab journalists who took part in the survey said they had a "favorable" view of the American people. They also share many of the stated priorities of American foreign policy.

"Arab journalists don't hate America, they hate the fact that – from their perspective – the U.S. just doesn't live up to its own values or promises," said Pintak, who was assisted in the project by Jeremy Ginges, PhD, of the New School for Social Research in New York. "They have been painted as the enemy; in reality, they are potential allies for a smart administration."

The survey, the first of its kind to be conducted on such a wide scale and scope, questioned 601 journalists in 13 Arab countries. It received the cooperation of the major pan-Arab news organizations.

Of the journalists surveyed, 75 percent said their top priority was creating political and social change, the stated goals of the George W. Bush administration's so-called "democratic agenda." Two-thirds said Arab society must be "gradually" reformed and another one-third said the change must be "radical."

Of the top 10 missions of Arab journalism, eight involve regional change and include political reform, human rights, poverty and education as the most important issues facing the region.

Naturally, there is also the main point of contention between the West and the Arab world, the ever-present issue of Israel and Palestine.

Many see the "lack of political change" and the current administration's policy as the greatest threats to the Arab world. Politically, half aligned themselves with the forces of democracy; only 10 percent identified themselves as Islamists or Arab nationalists (15 percent).

Contrary to what might be expected, the two most burning issues in the Middle East today – Palestine and Iraq, the rallying cry of al-Qaida and other Islamists – figure well down on the list of priorities, about on par with terrorism.

For the most part Arab journalists said they believe in the separation of church/mosque and state and are deeply cynical about the role of the Muslim clergy.

But they are also skeptical about U.S. motives. Only 13 percent believe the Bush administration is sincere in its stated desire for an independent Palestinian state and roughly two-thirds think U.S. calls for democratic reform, Palestinian rights, and even U.S. aid to victims of the 2005 Asian tsunami, are insincere gestures only meant to counter anti-U.S. sentiments.

Arab journalists are also pragmatic. Almost half say Western "interference" in the Arab world is permissible if it benefits to the Arab people, though the overwhelming majority says nothing can justify the invasion of Iraq. They also give themselves terrible marks for fairness, independence and professionalism.

They study was financed by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, with support from the Howard R. Marsh Foundation and the Center for Middle East and North Africa Studies at the University of Michigan. The detailed results will be published in the July issue of the International Journal of Press/Politics.