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Demand Al Jazeera in the US

english.aljazeera.net

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Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#41

Post by nir »

nopal wrote: post #26
nir wrote: post #14

When I want to know what's really going on in the world, I don't watch the government-influenced, corporate-financed mainstream western media. I tune into the Emir of Qatar's station, where centuries old traditions of democracy and independent journalism reporting produce quality, objective reporting. Incredible how gullible most people are. You just need to up the sophistication by a notch to have them eating out of…

If I were smarter, I'd call out the type of rhetorical attack you just made, but since I'm not, I'll just point out that you provided no evidence of bias and simply played off of stereotypes. Al Jazeera is widely respected in the journalism world.

It's not a "rhetorical attack". Al Jazeera is financed by the Emir of Qatar, that's a fact. The Emir of Qatar is essentially the ruler of that nation, which is an absolute monarchy (ie, the king effectively rules the country).

These are all known facts. "Al Jazeera is widely respected in the journalism world" is not a known fact, to me. From what I see, it is respected by some and less respected by others.

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#42

Post by saidulislam »

Demand is too strong of a word here. America is the land of free thinking and tolerance. People here, for the most part, appreciate and respect the differences in opinions. If Al Jazeera wants to establish presence here, no one would tell them to get out. In reality, this would be the best place for any news organization.

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#43

Post by nhebb »

I didn't get the sense that Al Jazeera was an unbiased news source after reading David Marash's interview in the Columbia Journalism Review [1]. All news sources have bias, but the way that Al Jazeera is being upheld as a beacon of truth and light is a little disingenuous. I admit my own bias against them for acting as the mouthpiece of bin Laden by airing his tapes. I know there are those that feel this is a journalistic responsibility, but, then again, I don't think the New York Times should have published the Unabomber's letter either.

[1]http://www.cjr.org/the_water_cooler/dave_marash_why_i_quit.p...

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#44

Post by retube »

nir wrote: post #14

When I want to know what's really going on in the world, I don't watch the government-influenced, corporate-financed mainstream western media. I tune into the Emir of Qatar's station, where centuries old traditions of democracy and independent journalism reporting produce quality, objective reporting. Incredible how gullible most people are. You just need to up the sophistication by a notch to have them eating out of…

Yes an easy and obvious position to take, although not backed up with any evidence I note. You realise that Al Jazeera - not twitter or facebook - was a big driver of the recent political events in the north africa and the mid east, and caused a lot of resentment, anger amongst the current encumbents in these countries? Whilst it's true that the channel is rarely critical of events at home in Qatar, as far as international reporting goes it's been pretty balanced, and doing a lot to promote democracy in the region (Just take a look at their recent coverage of Egypt)

The point about Al Jazeera is that the events they cover are far broader and researched in much more depth than any other station. They have more local staff in more foreign bureaus than any other network, and report on issues and incidents around the world that will pass completely under the radar with the other networks. Obviously a lot of airtime is been given over to the mid-east at the moment but look at the other stuff on their UK schedule today:

- Elections in Haiti again...Could a third round of Presidential elections resolve political stalemate... and what challenges face the new leader?

- Midwives in rural Ethiopia battle to give Ethiopian mothers the chance of a safe birth and a life free from the devastating consequences of Fistula

- Native American Tish Keahna returns to her childhood reservation to see the impact of a language immersion school to restore the Arapaho language.

- Sir David Frost talks to Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key, former UK environment minister Michael Meacher and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Mia Farrow.

- 101 East looks at one of Asia’s most densely populated countries - the Philippines - where family planning remains a controversial issue.

You'll find that all these stories are covered in depth with interviews and opinion from people who are actually qualified to discuss the issues, usually encompassing a variety of views and positions. Stimulating, educational and truly informative.

http://english.aljazeera.net/Services/Schedule/ProgramSchedu...

Edit: Ah - judging from your blog you're from Israel.

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#46

Post by nir »

Isamu wrote: post #40
nir wrote: post #14

When I want to know what's really going on in the world, I don't watch the government-influenced, corporate-financed mainstream western media. I tune into the Emir of Qatar's station, where centuries old traditions of democracy and independent journalism reporting produce quality, objective reporting. Incredible how gullible most people are. You just need to up the sophistication by a notch to have them eating out of…

As a friend used to say: "choose your own mind control".

:)

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#47

Post by retube »

nhebb wrote: post #43

I didn't get the sense that Al Jazeera was an unbiased news source after reading David Marash's interview in the Columbia Journalism Review [1]. All news sources have bias, but the way that Al Jazeera is being upheld as a beacon of truth and light is a little disingenuous. I admit my own bias against them for acting as the mouthpiece of bin Laden by airing his tapes. I know there are those that feel this is a journal…

> acting as the mouthpiece of bin Laden by airing his tapes

Why is airing his tapes acting as his mouthpiece? Every others station on planet earth aired them to. It's the sodding news, and given that Bin Laden is world enemy number 1 why on earth wouldn't they air his tapes?

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#48

Post by saidulislam »

danssig wrote: post #7
tshtf wrote: post #3

There's no need to demand AJE in the US, because AJE is handling new media intelligently and is widely available. I can watch AJE on my PS3, computer, or even my iPhone. They're one of the few networks in the world that supports free and unlimited streaming options to all.

You bring up good points but there still is a need. There are plenty of people who wont even consider news that isn't on TV. Having a mainstream channel that disagrees with Fox and CNN would be a great thing IMO.

I am not a fan of Fox but I understand what you are saying. It would be nice to have a fresh way of checking the news or view it from different perspective. Current way of presenting from any news organization is awkward. Politicians are polarizing the nation and news organizations are feed to the fire. That's why I stopped watching the news channels. I find this peaceful and healthy. Sometimes I think we are going freakN backward as a country. It's an insult to our founding fathers and the American way.

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#49

Post by nir »

retube wrote: post #44
nir wrote: post #14

When I want to know what's really going on in the world, I don't watch the government-influenced, corporate-financed mainstream western media. I tune into the Emir of Qatar's station, where centuries old traditions of democracy and independent journalism reporting produce quality, objective reporting. Incredible how gullible most people are. You just need to up the sophistication by a notch to have them eating out of…

Yes an easy and obvious position to take, although not backed up with any evidence I note. You realise that Al Jazeera - not twitter or facebook - was a big driver of the recent political events in the north africa and the mid east, and caused a lot of resentment, anger amongst the current encumbents in these countries? Whilst it's true that the channel is rarely critical of events at home in Qatar, as far as interna…

>not backed up with any evidence I note

Evidence for Qatar being an Emirate? For the Emir financing AJ? These aren't disputed, AFAIK.

>You realise that Al Jazeera - not twitter or facebook - was a big driver of the recent political events

Definitely.

>caused a lot of resentment, anger amongst the current encumbents in these countries

True. So? Anything there that goes against Qatar's interests?

>They have more local staff in more foreign bureaus than any other network

And they do a lot of quality interviews that aren't rating driven. Because if you have a very rich monarch financing you, you can afford all that. That's my point. How was their coverage of the WikiLeaks docs regarding Qatar?

>Edit: Ah - judging from your blog you're from Israel.

Damn, cover blown! I guess this makes me a Mossad agent, or at best a mouthpiece for the Israeli government. Thanks for doubling my blog's readership though :)

Re: Demand Al Jazeera in the US

#50

Post by nir »

chopsueyar wrote: post #35
nopal wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I were smarter, I'd call out the type of rhetorical attack you just made, but since I'm not, I'll just point out that you provided no evidence of bias and simply played off of stereotypes. Al Jazeera is widely respected in the journalism world.

Parent alluded ALL corporate news organizations have bias.

Exactly.
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