Any Al Jazeera English Watchers Here?

[jankren]

I recently subscribed to Al Jazeera International for online viewing since my cable provider does not offer the channel. Personally I think the news program is very good and more global than any other similar programs. It is kind of like combination of BBC, Travel Channel, and History Channel. As for the accusation that Al Jazeera is the mouthpiece of Al Qaeda, I believe it is not true based on what I see on Al Jazeera English. However I do not know what they show on Al Jazeera Arabic.

So any other Al Jazeera viewers on this forum? And what is your opinion?

Peace,

[Sosobra]

actually thanks for posting this I just remembered to upgrade my service and request it .

[Cassy]

I've never been able to watch it on television but I was very impressed by it when it launched, especially its clip of Rumsfeld and the Iraqi information minister taking turns to denounce it as a propaganda machine for the other side.

[boofhead]

Possibly a bit like Fox News for Muslims? "Fair and Balanced" / "We report you decide" ????

[Cassy]

Possibly a bit like Fox News for Muslims? "Fair and Balanced" / "We report you decide" ????

Yes, perhaps you should.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijsNmMZt9fc

[Ummon]

Watched it quite more than I would have liked, just to form a honest judgement.

If I want to suffer feeble attempts at brainwashing by ignorant and ideologized supporters of regressions to the middle-ages, I will watch it again.

[PurpleScotch]

I am a watcher of Al Jazeera (Arabic) and I've seen Al Jazeera International, they are both almost the same, nothing related to Al-Qaida, they get both opinions from both sides of any conflict, so why is it a Brainwashing tool? Oh, because it's originally Arab and Muslim!? You people piss me off! Supporters of the Middle-Ages???? IMO anyone blaming AlJazeera to be Ignorant is WAAAY more ignorant...why? Because they blame it because it's Arab or Muslim...Bah!

[Ummon]

I am a watcher of Al Jazeera (Arabic) and I've seen Al Jazeera International, they are both almost the same, nothing related to Al-Qaida, they get both opinions from both sides of any conflict, so why is it a Brainwashing tool? Oh, because it's originally Arab and Muslim!? You people piss me off! Supporters of the Middle-Ages???? IMO anyone blaming AlJazeera to be Ignorant is WAAAY more ignorant...why? Because they blame it because it's Arab or Muslim...Bah!

Why? Because it lies systematically, is the any other possible reason?

[Stalins Ghost]

Why? Because it lies systematically, is the any other possible reason?

It doesn't lie at all, or at least only as much as any other media outlet rather. You're just conforming to the stereotype of it being Osama bin Ladens personal media channel. It all comes down to the fact that they chose to broadcast the videos of Osama bin Laden, or kidnappings in Iraq. Hell, I'm sure alot of you have watched some of the executions of kidnapped victims on the net, so why shouldn't it be (albeit censored) and shown on Al Jezeera? Why shouldn't they broadcast controversial stories?

Its not like other channels don't occasionally put out a story that only sounds dubious because no-one else will broadcast the same version. Consider the story reported by Jeremy Bowen in the first Gulf War: A US smart bomb killed 314 people- civilians - in a bomb shelter by accident. Every other station denied it, ignored it, or said it was a military site. His story was proven correct in the end.

Fact is, a lot of people do stereotype it as being a biased, when the reality is, its about as biased/unbiased as other international channels, it just chooses to be a little more stark and uncompromising.

[Stalins Ghost]

I'd watch it if I could - I don't have a TV, so that kinda screws me over!

From what I've read, its actually a very efficient news source, and, contrary to popular belief is actually highly secular, and dare I say it, supposedly very unbiased, willing to report what others won't because they don't think their audience can handle it.

Based in the middle ages? **** off is it. For a start, Al Jezzera is based in Qatar- one of the most advanced places in the world these days, both hugely rich and prosperous, with some pretty amasing architectural constructions, advanced communications and developed economy. The country itself is highly liberalised and prides itself on being a role model for economic and social reform. Al Jezeera itself is highly independent, and a radical departure from the censored, state run news outlets throughout the region. Like Qatar, it is aiming to be a role model for the rest of the region.

[bigfootedfred]

Al Jezzera is based in Qatar- one of the most advanced places in the world these days, both hugely rich and prosperous, with some pretty amasing architectural constructions, advanced communications and developed economy. The country itself is highly liberalised and prides itself on being a role model for economic and social reform. Al Jezeera itself is highly independent, and a radical departure from the censored, state run news outlets throughout the region. Like Qatar, it is aiming to be a role model for the rest of the region.

i completely agree.
As i have said before, Faults? yes.
But better than 'Baghdad Bob TV' giving you all the 'facts' like all Media there used too.
Al Jazzera is factually and sourced based, and gladly slam Arab governments far more than any western one.
In Bias, well yes it is very Biased, but less than that of fox news for example?

[zznɟ ǝɥʇ]

Here At UIllinois I saw a speaker, I can't remember his name now but he has a show on Al Jazzera, and I think one in the English version as well. He was incredibly well spoken, had worked for Washington news agencies as well. He mentioned how Rumsfeld spoke badly to Al Jazzera, saying American news agencies were much better--as an example he named the organization where the man used to work.

He took great care in explaining Qatar and Al Jazzera's relationship with the country, and Muslims in general.

I'm in college dorms at the moment, but if I wasn't I'd have this channel.

[Balikedes]

I consistently go to the Al-Jazeera English website in my news rounds. It appears you can trust them as much as you can trust any other media outlet. I believe it's good to get an alternative view on the things that go on in the world.
They could definetly have more access to the muslim side of a conflict than Fox, CNN and the BBC.

[Ummon]

My personal experience, painfully prolonged through much patience, is that of a channel so biased it is unwatchable, sorry.

Even more than Fox News and BBC.

[Erik]

My personal experience, painfully prolonged through much patience, is that of a channel so biased it is unwatchable, sorry.

Even more than Fox News and BBC.

I suppose "Berlusconi TV" is better?

[Lord Rahl]

I haven't watched it but for some reason I found a [b]Beirut Times[/i] newspaper in Arabic in my mailbox today!

[Ummon]

A lot. Berlusconi leaves quasi-complete freedom to his journalists, who are infact by the majority, leftists.

But in truth, tvs and newspapers are overall, mostly trash.

[Erik]

A lot. Berlusconi leaves quasi-complete freedom to his journalists

As long as they glorify him, and never question any of his policies....

I won't say Al Jazeera is free of bias, but at least they are free of government control and censorship, which is far more important.

[LSJ]

I like it because its very uncensored, and there are a lot of stories about things you don't see in my country. Of course there's bias, but I've yet to find any news station that doesn't have some. I still watch BBC and CTV.

I think the reason its often branded as a mouthpiece of al-Quaida is because they show terrorist videos submitted by those groups, and don't always heckle it or downplay what they say, which is what happens on almost every western news channel.

Mostly, I like it because its news from somewhere that's not a few miles away or across a lake from me.

[Ummon]

As long as they glorify him, and never question any of his policies....

They often don't, and do.