At the end of April 2019, Sean Hannity became the center of controversy when he flew to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to visit Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Fox News pundit, who had just been part of the US delegation to the Israeli government on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s invitation, made a visit to Saudi Arabia ten days later. Moreover, the White House confirmed that Hannity was there for talks, although the details of those talks were not revealed.
It is worth noting that Hannity’s visit came at a very interesting time for Saudi Arabia. There had been increasing international pressure on the country over its behavior in Yemen’s civil war, its diplomatic crisis with Qatar, and its role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Given these circumstances, the media began to speculate that Hannity’s visit was not of a social nature, nor was it a coincidence, since the journalist had expressed his admiration for the country in several statements in the past. The Department of State then clarified that Hannity was actually invited by some Saudi officials.
Regardless of the truth behind Hannity’s visit, the media and experts’ reactions were highly critical. They highlighted the journalist’s lack of objectivity in his news reports and how this could be perceived as a conflict of interest. Moreover, given Hannity’s political alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump, some even argued that his presence signaled the approval of the Saudi Arabian government by Trump.
The discussion around the visit has been quite heated. Being a journalist, people tend to expect Hannity to practice his work seriously and with full impartiality regardless of who wants him. On the other hand, the fact that he was invited by Saudi Arabian officials implies that they are likely to have an interest in benefiting from his presence.
Such an influence could take shape in the form of softened rhetoric from Hannity against the Saudi government. But, it is also possible for Hannity to use his visit to gain an objective perspective on the dynamics of the debate around Saudi Arabia, as well as pass that insight on to his viewers. Furthermore, the power of the journalist’s presence is that his fans can often take persuasion better than direct routes of communication.
Sean Hannity’s Advocacy of the Saudi Government
Despite some media outlets raising suspicion of a conflict of interest, the status quo since Hannity’s trip to Riyadh has not been largely different to how it was beforehand. Hannity’s periodic updates on the Saudi situation and his positive attitude towards the country have not changed.
All in all, Sean Hannity has stayed firm in his advocacy for the Saudi government. Whether it has been in respect of the country’s involvement in the Yemen crisis, its diplomatic spat with Qatar, or its dispute with Iran, Hannity has favored the Saudi side on every occasion. On top of this, the pundit has also sought to differentiate between the positive influence of the Crown Prince and the potential “hidden forces” in the country that might be driving some of the bad press.
Hannity has also been vocal in dismissing the coverage of Khashoggi’s murder and the US government’s response. Additionally, he argues that the Houthi militia is responsible for many of the humanitarian disasters in Yemen.
The journalist’s opinion is just one perspective among many, but his position carries weight given his status as a journalist and his influence over a large audience. This in turn raises the question of his reason for being so partial to the Saudi Arabian government.
People’s Reactions to Sean Hannity’s Visit
Naturally, when it comes to the controversy surrounding Sean Hannity’s trip to Saudi Arabia, there is an equal degree of support and criticism. Friends of the journalist are quick to point out that Hannity is one of the few American journalists to have visited the kingdom in recent times and that his trip was likely to be motivated by curiosity towards learning more about the country’s culture and politics.
On the contrary, others criticize Hannity’s proximity to powerful Saudis, contending that this is likely to have an impact on his credibility as a reporter. Nevertheless, a large number of Americans are apathetic to the issue and really do not care one way or another.
How Did Hannity’s Visit Affect His Reputation?
Although a bit controversial, Hannity’s visit to Saudi Arabia has not significantly affected the journalist’s popularity. In fact, his supporters have argued that the trip was facilitated by US allies in order to gain alternative international perspectives. Although there is no solid proof of this, Hannity supporters believe that in the long run his visit can help the US to foster certain relations and make diplomatic progress.
The debate around the trip has been relatively mild in comparison to other events related to the Fox News analyst. This should come as no surprise given that most people in the West are largely indifferent towards the Saudi Arabian government and international affairs. Nonetheless, people view it as increasingly important whenever powerful men like Hannity make influence-heavy trips to foreign places.
What Can We Learn From Hannity’s Visit?
Whether it is to downplay the relevance of international politics or due to genuine motives, Hannity’s trip to Saudi Arabia has raised a wide range of questions. Those range from objectivity to conflicts of interests.
The case of Hannity is a poignant reminder of the power of rhetoric and journalism during times of political tumult, as well as the relevance of journalists’ credibility when reporting on events around the world. Journalists must report news impartially from different sources if they are to form reasonable conclusions. Equally, governments should respect journalists’ independence, irrespective of the purpose behind their visits, even though some often believe a journalist’s presence can be beneficial.
Hannity’s Relationship with Saudi Arabia Before and After the Visit
Before his visit to Riyadh, Hannity had expressed his admiration for Saudis and their policies more than once. He had also gone so far as to criticize voices in the US who were accusing the country of human rights violations. During his stay, the Fox News pundit seemed to have had a pleasant time in the country, as he posted photos of himself posing with citizens and interacting with members of the Royal family.
After his trip, Hannity’s opinion of the Saudi regime remained unchanged. In many of his later reports he continued to stand by their side in disputes with Qatar and Yemen, implying
