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Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

english.aljazeera.net

61–70 of 104 posts

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#61
This is a very sad day for objective journalism. My family is from Iran and I've spent plenty of time watching it over satellite. I liken them to CNN in the 90s before they too started getting politically charged.

I'm angry that Al Jazeera has such a bad rap in the states, but frankly, I think we'd believe Nickelodeon was evil too if Fox News caught them broadcasting a single frame with both Bin Laden and their network emblem.

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#62
post #5

I guess this is a ringing endorsement of Al Jazeera. It's the network the dictators fear. I can see some people saying they are being shut down because they are supporters of radical Islam but from what I've seen of them this is pure nonsense. It's nice to have a news network that doesn't suck so bad. It's shocking that this network does better (in my opinion) at news reporting than American news networks given that…

Saying that US Networks do a poor job of reporting because their coverage sucks is exactly like saying that Wal-Mart does a poor job of retailing because they sell plastic junk. It's what the people want.

Objective, factual journalism is the cornerstone of our society. News should not be a product and the content should reflect reality and not the desires of a particular demographic or the fantasies of a particular political group.

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#63
post #16
post #5

I guess this is a ringing endorsement of Al Jazeera. It's the network the dictators fear. I can see some people saying they are being shut down because they are supporters of radical Islam but from what I've seen of them this is pure nonsense. It's nice to have a news network that doesn't suck so bad. It's shocking that this network does better (in my opinion) at news reporting than American news networks given that…

> I can see some people saying they are being shut down because they are supporters of radical Islam but from what I've seen of them this is pure nonsense. "pure nonsense" is exactly what it is :) The only reason it seems that way from the western perspective is because: 1) They interview Islamist figures 2) They don't portray them as evil But they also interview people from every color of the political spectrum. > g…

Actually, I wish my local news actually only reported local news. I get the feeling that to survive in the next decade, the successful ones will do just that.

As to the national networks, if it doesn't happen on the coasts or in Texas, it pretty much is ignored unless it is a natural disaster. Heck, the coverage of Nashville flooding was pathetic compared to the dollar cost of the damage. Drew Curtis's (of Fark fame) book has a chapter on it and some interesting stories from Fark.

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#64
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> where free speech isn't a concept rooted in law. Actually, it all makes sense now. In the West we're used to having free speech as a given right. We don't do much to protect, expand, or enhance it.

More to the point, it's actively abused. You can't say people aren't allowed to lie, so they can heavily editorialize or even outright fabricate and still call it news. Because the average person watches the news to be told, not to think, networks that do as above in a way that reinforces people's preconceived notions are rewarded with viewership. In an effort to regain viewers, the so-called "legitimate" networks re…

That's a tad bit of hogwash. PBS and NPR are not neutral parties. They have to appeal to viewership just like everyone else. They ask for donations and corporate sponsorship.

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#65
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Have you seen any criticism of the Iran or Syrian regimes on al-J? Have you seen any criticism of Hamas or Hezbollah? All the time. > Are these guys really beyond reproach? What? Have you seen anything of Al Jazeera? probably not. Now, does any western media channel regularly host speakers from Hamas? I doubt it. Al-Jazeera always interviews people from the Israeli side (and they get a lot of heat for it).

> Have you seen anything of Al Jazeera? probably not. Please do not make any assumptions about me, I have seen plenty. For example, when al-J threw a birthday party to Samir Kuntar and called him a hero. Samir Kuntar is a guy who was doing time in Israel for killing a 4-year old girl by bashing her head with a rock. > Al-Jazeera always interviews people from the Israeli side (and they get a lot of heat for it). You'r…

Your account is less than a day old. Are you a HN regular?

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#66
post #56
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why? Keith Olberman isn't a journalist by most objective measures, he's a partisan talking head.

My point was more; "Wouldn't it be interesting if [big, well recognized american media personality] went to Al Jazeera"

David Frost, while not American, has had a show on Al Jazeera English since 2006:

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/frostovertheworld/

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#68
post #57
post #5

I guess this is a ringing endorsement of Al Jazeera. It's the network the dictators fear. I can see some people saying they are being shut down because they are supporters of radical Islam but from what I've seen of them this is pure nonsense. It's nice to have a news network that doesn't suck so bad. It's shocking that this network does better (in my opinion) at news reporting than American news networks given that…

The English arm of Al Jazeera is based in Washington DC

AJE is headquartered in Doha with broadcasting centers in Doha, London, and Washington.

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Saying that US Networks do a poor job of reporting because their coverage sucks is exactly like saying that Wal-Mart does a poor job of retailing because they sell plastic junk. It's what the people want.

ok, ok. They do an excellent job entertaining people. That's not the same thing as real journalism.

This thread has entered a twilight zone inhabited by True Scotsmen:

Raganwald: "American journos act like they work for WalMart."

HN Chorus: "Those aren't Real Journalists."

:-)

Re: Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau

#70
post #56
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why? Keith Olberman isn't a journalist by most objective measures, he's a partisan talking head.

My point was more; "Wouldn't it be interesting if [big, well recognized american media personality] went to Al Jazeera"

Like Anderson Cooper: http://twitter.com/andersoncooper/status/31518264634900480
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