Al Jazeera English: The Image Problem
The global news network can't shake its bad rap in America
The curious thing about 24-hour global news networks is that each one attempts to sell itself as being the lone bastion of honesty in a great muddled mess of media spin. The notion of a singular, trusted news source is wonderful. But singularities run the risk of becoming myopias. It's through a multiplicity of sources that we can begin to grasp to the reality of the world at large. That in mind, GOOD has opted to take a look into the world of Al-Jazeera English, a new voice contributing to the ever-evolving global media dialogue. This video investigates the network's inception, attempting to come to terms with the controversy surrounding it. At this point, at least stateside, the conversation regarding Al-Jazeera is pretty polarized. Hell, only Burlington, VT and Toledo, OH have picked up the station. So speak up, tell us what you think, and offer your two cents to this ongoing exchange of ideas.
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AL-volution
This was an interesting glimpse into what seems to be a perpetual evolution of the Al Jazeera Network. From what I can tell, AJ definitely is more of a positive influence than not in that they are willing to communicate an accurate reflection of what is going on in the Middle East even as the US Gov't paints them as viscious/inaccurate/careless. For now no one stateside has picked up the network, but I would not be surprised if that were to happen in the near future.
Loved the music and the editing of this piece. GOOD!
Posted on April 17, 2007 — by benazona
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Al-Jazeera & FOX News in Canada
This brings to mind the controversy in Canada when the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) was considering approval of Al-Jazeera for broadcast and within following months Fox News. Comparisons were made across both sides to one sided journalism and the encouragement of extremism. Opponents for both made claims that if you allow one extreme you must allow the other. I thought it was interesting that Al-Jazeera and Fox News were painted with the same brush. Both have since been approved. Sadly Fox News has been picked up in far more locations that Al-Jazeera. Widely differing opinions are valuable only when you can hear them from both sides.
Posted on April 18, 2007 — by Greco
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Insightful Video
Loved the video. It's a sad thing that we're so polarized in this country. Wornder if we'll get over that one in my lifetime...
The music was great. Anyone know who it is?
Posted on April 18, 2007 — by nmanley
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I listen to A.J. almost every day
Don't get me wrong... I'm as American as it gets. However, I like to find out about the 80 percent of the world we don't hear about on mainstream news. In other words, most of the world. I don't think AJ is biased, I think they just report the rest of the news (which I can't get from bbc, cnn, cbs, etc).
I watch AJ online... doesn't matter to me if they can't get a cable contract.
Posted on April 27, 2007 — by LiveMindful
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Sheep
Personally I like Al Jazeera and any other news station that doesn't skew their news to be pro-USA. I wish the station would be picked up, but we all know this probably won't happen. The stigma is too great, to many fanatics the act of watching this station is terrorism. Companies will not want to be associated with it, and honestly how many Americans are really going to watch it. Most prefer mindless reality shows over news. I wish it were different, at least it is accesible on the net.
Posted on May 3, 2007 — by lorah1775
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NBC?
Al Jazeera is a well respected news agency in most of the world that reports things as they see them, it wouldn't hurt most Americans to take a look at how we are viewed by people in other countries.
And why are people in the US biased against AJ? Because Al Qaeda chooses to send their videos to them...and they air them? I suppose CNN or BBC would just throw them away if Al Qaeda decided to send them their way? If this is the reason why people in the US hate them maybe we should all start hating NBC for airing videos of the psychopath at Virgina Tech, after all that's exactly what he wanted.
Posted on May 9, 2007 — by tim
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Yep
Nice video, I've seen a bit of AJ but will make a point of catching it more often now. I think the part about getting your news from a variety of sources then making up your own mind is spot on. However, I fail to see though how Fox and AJ can both be called extreme. Fox - sure, the spin is clear as day. But AJ? I realise bias is inherent in everything as we all filter the world differently, but comparing the two is like comparing Godzilla and a gecko, no? Anyways, this site is great :)
Posted on May 14, 2007 — by the_ginger_ninja
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the real thing
Has anyone here watched AJ along with Fox and other networks often? I would like to hear their opinions of the new network, seeing as everyone else has only had sporadic experiences with AJ, atleast from their comments.
Posted on June 12, 2007 — by bojangles99_99
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Its Time for Al Jazeera
While on my trip in Peru, I was shocked that they had Al Jazeera in ENGLISH! But, I think it would be great for Americans to atleast change their perspective on the eastern world; and Al Jazeera is the way to go!
Posted on August 9, 2007 — by zkomes
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