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Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

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Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#41

Post by saturn »

sliverstorm wrote: post #36
mkr-hn wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you cite a few so there's a basis for discussion? I see a lot of people saying they're anti-US, but it's usually supported with articles and video critical of government actions, not the country itself.

I have been reading their articles less frequently in the last month, and do not have any good examples in memory or on hand. Edit: Today AJE has presented me with a decent example! http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/09/2011920... In regards to the anti-US bit- I do not mean to say they hate America. I have no reason to believe they wish America ill- though they certainly seem to wish America would get…

Biased? That article? I thought it a very fair analysis, evenhanded almost to a fault.

You might not agree, of course, but bias isn't about whether you agree or not. It's a systematic favouring of one side of an argument over others, regardless of facts. I don't see much evidence of that in the article, which is a fairly dry analysis of the realpolitik affecting the region and the coming UN vote.

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#42

Post by edswangren »

drivebyacct2 wrote: post #15
potatolicious wrote: post #2

> "The incident illustrates that not even Wikileaks' former media partners are safe from the wrath of the organization's radical, pro-transparency agenda." Wait, pointing out a clear conflict of interest and censorship is being "radically pro-transparency"? I don't believe in WikiLeak's mantra that all information, regardless of context, should be transparent, but since when is releasing information about a clear abu…

Should it be radical? No. Is it? In today's media climate? You bet your ass.

I'm pretty sure you can get away with a lot more than you could have in past times when the people in power would have likely just had your head lopped off.

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#43

Post by streptomycin »

potatolicious wrote: post #2

> "The incident illustrates that not even Wikileaks' former media partners are safe from the wrath of the organization's radical, pro-transparency agenda." Wait, pointing out a clear conflict of interest and censorship is being "radically pro-transparency"? I don't believe in WikiLeak's mantra that all information, regardless of context, should be transparent, but since when is releasing information about a clear abu…

> I don't believe in WikiLeak's mantra that all information, regardless of context, should be transparent

That most certainly isn't their mantra.

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#44

Post by sliverstorm »

saturn wrote: post #41
sliverstorm wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have been reading their articles less frequently in the last month, and do not have any good examples in memory or on hand. Edit: Today AJE has presented me with a decent example! http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/09/2011920... In regards to the anti-US bit- I do not mean to say they hate America. I have no reason to believe they wish America ill- though they certainly seem to wish America would get…

Biased? That article? I thought it a very fair analysis, evenhanded almost to a fault. You might not agree, of course, but bias isn't about whether you agree or not. It's a systematic favouring of one side of an argument over others, regardless of facts. I don't see much evidence of that in the article, which is a fairly dry analysis of the realpolitik affecting the region and the coming UN vote.

True, I can't really demonstrate bias with one piece. I said I didn't have good cites, and I didn't. Should have left it at that.

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#45

Post by redthrowaway »

phillmv wrote: post #29
drivebyacct2 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Should it be radical? No. Is it? In today's media climate? You bet your ass.

That's strikes me as being a bit naïve. Speaking truth to power has always been dangerous.

I didn't read his comment as saying that it's a new phenomenon, rather that today's climate makes it true.

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#46

Post by redthrowaway »

sliverstorm wrote: post #18

I continually wonder if Wikileaks has considered that, in their fiery no-compromise campaign, they may actually be setting back progress? What on earth could I mean? Well, in this particular case- I respect Al Jazeera. I am generally pleased with their journalism as compared to many American firms, and they have a different perspective from many American journalists, which is valuable. It could be a really good thing…

If they did compromise, and declared friendly actors to be off-limits, then they'd be just another politically-driven organization. It's their lack of compromise that lends them credibility.

When they report on Rumsfeld et al ordering torture, it is more easily dismissed as partisan propaganda than when they also report on misdeeds by the Left.

Wikileaks' philosophy is that power structures tend towards corruption unless their dealings are made public. This is inherently apolitical, inasmuch as it does not target or support any political group. Read Assange's 2006 essay on conspiracy as a basis of government and its asymmetric susceptibility to leaks for an in-depth view of the philosophy that informs Wikileaks:

http://cryptome.org/0002/ja-conspiracies.pdf

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#47

Post by justatdotin »

edswangren wrote: post #42
drivebyacct2 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Should it be radical? No. Is it? In today's media climate? You bet your ass.

I'm pretty sure you can get away with a lot more than you could have in past times when the people in power would have likely just had your head lopped off.

so, let's prove it.

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#48

Post by seedlessso »

Biased? That article? I thought it a very fair analysis, evenhanded almost to a fault. You might not agree, of course, but bias isn't about whether you agree or not. It's a systematic favouring of one side of an argument over others, regardless of facts. I don't see much evidence of that in the article, which is a fairly dry analysis of the realpolitik affecting the region and the coming UN vote.

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#49

Post by brador »

kloncks wrote: post #14
robchez wrote: post #9

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/09/2011920... Sheikh Ahmad bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani has been appointed as new director general. I guess their credibility is now completely out the window

I wouldn't say "completely out of the window" simply because the alternatives still don't come close to Al Jazeera's lack of bias. It's of interesting timing - this ousting - especially with the theatre that we're about witness at the UN.

Care to expand on what the theatre we're about to witness at the UN part?

Re: Wikileaks Takes Down the Head of Al Jazeera

#50

Post by redthrowaway »

redthrowaway wrote: post #46
sliverstorm wrote: post #18

I continually wonder if Wikileaks has considered that, in their fiery no-compromise campaign, they may actually be setting back progress? What on earth could I mean? Well, in this particular case- I respect Al Jazeera. I am generally pleased with their journalism as compared to many American firms, and they have a different perspective from many American journalists, which is valuable. It could be a really good thing…

If they did compromise, and declared friendly actors to be off-limits, then they'd be just another politically-driven organization. It's their lack of compromise that lends them credibility. When they report on Rumsfeld et al ordering torture, it is more easily dismissed as partisan propaganda than when they also report on misdeeds by the Left. Wikileaks' philosophy is that power structures tend towards corruption un…

Edit, as I can no longer edit the parent:

The essay I linked to appears to be incomplete, or is at least two drafts of an essay. I've googled for a complete version, but haven't found it. A link would be greatly appreciated.

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