The US media could learn from al-Jazeera

[Violet_Crumble]

By Jon Faine
November 10, 2003


I was unaware that al-Jazeera is banned in several Arab countries. It has been told to "bugger off", as Ballout tells it, from Kuwait, Bahrain and Algeria. It has never had an office in Saudi Arabia - and for as long as the Saudis insist on vetting its reports, the network will not agree to sending reporters there "on principle".

So does al-Jazeera represent a cultural shift in the Middle East? "I don't want to sound pompous, but it is a mini-revolution," says Ballout. A force for modernity? "Certainly. Freedom of expression is a step along the path to democracy and can co-exist with Islam, although it is not about Westernising the Arab world, as not everything about the West is good."

I asked editor-in-chief Ibrahim Hilal about the network's editorial policies. Is there a charter or published set of guidelines for staff? "Not collected together," he says as he hits the keyboard on his desk, unravelling a computer log of edicts issued to staff that flows for several screens.

It is in Arabic, but he rapidly and impatiently translates for me.

"Here, last week for example, I told our Ramallah bureau to stop taking statements from unknown militant groups in Palestine - they are uncorroborated and we will not run them anymore."

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/09/1068329418508.html?from=storyrhs

[number6]

1. yes , they could

..

[Jack Rabbit]

2. My own recommendations

When asked about good sources for news on the I/P conflict, I usually give Ha'aretz as far and away the best source and, now that it is in English, al-Jazeera as a good source to provide some balance on the other side of the conflict.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[Skittles]

4. as opposed to what

the corporate republican-owned media WE have ???

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[rini]

10. I think you've got it!

:toast:

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

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[library_max]

14. "One side is trying to set up a democracy . . . "

Oh, is that what we're trying to do? Democracy comes out of the barrel of a gun these days, does it?

I'll believe in Iraqi democracy when the legitimately elected government of Iraq tells U.S. occupying troops to get the hell out, sells their oil to whomever for whatever makes them (Iraqis) the most profit, and converts to the Euro as Iraq was planning to do before we invaded. Until then, can you say "puppet government"?

And of course, the overwhelming odds are that any real Iraqi democracy will devolve either to an Islamist state a la Iran or another strongman like Saddam Hussein.

Saddam is overthrown. Who are we trying to save Iraq from now? Answer, the Iraqi people. Some democracy.

[The Magistrate]

15. The Idea, Ma'am

That the current administration's policy in Iraq aims to bring democratic rule to the place is risible. A government responsive to the will of the Iraqi people, as determined by majority vote, would immediately evict the soldiers and predatory businessmen of the United States, and then most likely proceed to the disenfranchisement of Sunni tribes, and the imposition of Shiara law over the whole populace. It would probably be faced with the immediate secession of Kurdistan, as well, which it would have to fight to prevent, as that would take nearly half the oil and its revenue with it, if successfully achieved.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Exactly who do you define as "the enemy"???

Al Jazeera has proven to be an excellent media source. As has Pravda.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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[greatauntoftriplets]

9. The Berlin Wall was torn down 14 years ago.

Check out Pravda's recent articles, unless you are content to live in ancient history.

[The Magistrate]

12. During The Cold War, Ma'am

Pravda made interesting reading indeed. It is always wise to read the propagandas of all sides; they provide useful insight into the mind.

[madrchsod]

6. tass and pravda?

i`ve never heard of tass but prada makes some wicked handbags and shoes....

[bemildred]

11. Can you produce an example of propaganda from al Jazeera?

That is, deliberate misrepresentation, esp. for political ends.

[bemildred]

16. Hello?

An example?
Some shred of evidence of deliberate mis-representation?