Al Jazeera Buys Current TV

[Jack Springer]

Yes, Al Jazeera is a objective source for news. One anchor saying something inappropriate? The Qatar government is pro-Western and pro-US. And they own the station. It's easy to cite some right wing source like dailycaller to support some non-existent point. And most of the anchors on the English segment are British and pro-Western.

That Daily caller site is hilarious though... they don't use facts in any of their arguments and they are operated by a bunch of right wing gun nuts. They actually said Piers Morgan isn't protected by the first amendment... those guys on that site don't understand the facts even if they were to hit them right in the face.

http://www.aljazeera.com/aboutus/2008/09/2008910114254204111.html

Take a look at their actual list of field correspondents. Many of whom have decades of knowledge and experience in the field and give very insightful reporting. I suggest actually watching the channel instead of jumping to conclusions.

It's silly and insulting to compare their work to that lame shit they do on Fox News.

It appears Al Jezeera has done what it wanted to do --- for you at least --- 'slick up' their image and graphics to appear to be objective.

I hope that the American people will be able to distinguish between terrorist propaganda and the real news.

I'm sure you've heard of the 1st Amendment that protects the press .. a free press.

There is no such thing in Qatar. You're getting filtered news.

 

[Kulindahr]

There is no such thing in Qatar. You're getting filtered news.

That video Maria linked didn't look very "filtered".

 

[HenryReardon]

And for that he nets $125 million

I find that ironic

What's ironic is that while Gore publicly denounces oil and by inference, oil money, in his quest for all things green, he sells his little network to a company financed by oil money.

 

[xbuzzerx]

It appears Al Jezeera has done what it wanted to do --- for you at least --- 'slick up' their image and graphics to appear to be objective.

I hope that the American people will be able to distinguish between terrorist propaganda and the real news.

I'm sure you've heard of the 1st Amendment that protects the press .. a free press.

There is no such thing in Qatar. You're getting filtered news.

You're getting a filtered news in the U.S. as well. You're getting whatever survived the filter of "we're now a private for-profit business and we need to run stories that are controversial, will attract ratings and viewers and get us marketshare." Not real news.

 

[Jack Springer]

^^

I agree -- all news is filtered -- but the question is by whom? I don't want mine filtered by a foreign country that has many deep differences from my own country.

 

[JayHawk]

It appears Al Jezeera has done what it wanted to do --- for you at least --- 'slick up' their image and graphics to appear to be objective.

I hope that the American people will be able to distinguish between terrorist propaganda and the real news.

I'm sure you've heard of the 1st Amendment that protects the press .. a free press.

There is no such thing in Qatar. You're getting filtered news.

Even Limbaugh admits it is good journalism and he freaking hates MSM because they don't parrot his insane nonsense.

Anyone with a critical instead of a jaundiced eye who has to deal with the middle east instead of read about it in the paper would willingly agree Al Jazeera has unique newsworthy insight.

Of course, most Americans just prefer to have their xenophobic hate reaffirmed. SO i can see how some would not want to hear truthful messages.

 

[xbuzzerx]

^^

I agree -- all news is filtered -- but the question is by whom? I don't want mine filtered by a foreign country that has many deep differences from my own country.

If you spent some time reading UK news available in the U.S. you'd see the inherent VALUE in multiple perspectives from multiple backgrounds because you often see elements of the story in one news source that wasn't in the U.S. one.

What's basing your fear as far as I can tell is that Al Jazeera is going to engage in some kind of brainwashing propaganda thing and attract viewers that just watch Al Jazeera and believe everything they say. But people do that anyway-- with Fox News and plenty of other biased, untrustworthy outlets of news or information, so it's not a good argument that we should shut out multiple avenues of information because of what low information people will be influenced by. The rest of us will see what U.S. news, UK news and Al Jazeera said on a given issue and have a bigger perspective on it as a result. That's a good thing.

 

[Jack Springer]

If you spent some time reading UK news available in the U.S. you'd see the inherent VALUE in multiple perspectives from multiple backgrounds because you often see elements of the story in one news source that wasn't in the U.S. one.

What's basing your fear as far as I can tell is that Al Jazeera is going to engage in some kind of brainwashing propaganda thing and attract viewers that just watch Al Jazeera and believe everything they say. But people do that anyway-- with Fox News and plenty of other biased, untrustworthy outlets of news or information, so it's not a good argument that we should shut out multiple avenues of information because of what low information people will be influenced by. The rest of us will see what U.S. news, UK news and Al Jazeera said on a given issue and have a bigger perspective on it as a result. That's a good thing.

I'd never think of getting my news from one source. I've seen Al Jezeera news -- it's improved in the short time they've been around. I understand that you and others here would feel more comfortable with a news source that doesn't reflect regular American values.

 

[xbuzzerx]

I'd never think of getting my news from one source. I've seen Al Jezeera news -- it's improved in the short time they've been around. I understand that you and others here would feel more comfortable with a news source that doesn't reflect regular American values.

I don't understand the meaning or the value in the comment you threw in at the end.

My ancestors come from this continent and both ends of the planet and I've always had a multifaceted view about America, as has my family, and we're inherently American. Any assertion that one viewpoint is the "American one" is inherently contemptuous.

 

[Rolyo85]

Two observations:

1. Considering how biased news are in the US, one should always welcome outside sources, regardless of where they come from, to balance that.

2. Considering how biased news are in the US, it's not really surprising that so many people on here can't even fathom news NOT being biased, when, frankly, many countries hold their news to much higher standards than America does. There are always interests, but they aren't always the driving force, as it is here.

 

[Centexfarmer]

Two observations:

1. Considering how biased news are in the US, one should always welcome outside sources, regardless of where they come from, to balance that.

2. Considering how biased news are in the US, it's not really surprising that so many people on here can't even fathom news NOT being biased, when, frankly, many countries hold their news to much higher standards than America does. There are always interests, but they aren't always the driving force, as it is here.

No shit!

Back when I was a Radioman in the United States Coast Guard, complete with a Top Secret Security Clearance, I use to listen to "Radio Free Moscow."

This was back when Reagan was President, Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of England, MTV played Music Videos, and Michael Jackson was still Black.

The Berlin wall still existed, and threat of the Global Nuclear Annihilation was something that everyone thought about everyday.

Listening to English speaking broadcasts from the Communists Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was akin to listening to Radio Hanoi, or Tokyo Rose.

Then, like now, anything that doesn't "support the American narrative" is considered "propaganda."

What many then, and now view as "propaganda" actually has some truth in what they're saying.

The propaganda within the protected First Amendment Rights of America is that Al Jazeera is a Muslim News Organization, and Muslims are our mortal enemies, and since Al Jazeera is Muslim, there must be something wrong with them.

I say Nah!

They provide a perspective that most Americans aren't use to hearing, or who've been encouraged to NOT listen to.

And a perspective that some don't want us to hear.

And therefore we should protect ourselves and others from whatever perspective they might have to share.

As an American I've always been interested in how my fellow inhabitants on this planet view Americans; our culture, our politics, and our "democracy."

It never means that I have to agree with their perspective, or even like what they have to share.

But I've found it enlightening.

And sometimes they've been able to point out certain truths that we either refused to see, or as clear as the nose on our own face, but couldn't see without a mirror.

If our Republic is so fragile to allow criticism, opposing perspectives, and differing views then those who are opposed have less faith in what it means to be an American than I do.

 

[Kulindahr]

^^

I agree -- all news is filtered -- but the question is by whom? I don't want mine filtered by a foreign country that has many deep differences from my own country.

You voluntarily put your head in the sand, buying into jingoism.

Sad.

 

[Rolyo85]

What's sad is the implication that news are regurgitated food that the mother (the news network) is dumping directly into the mouths of the baby bird (Jack). Because that can be the only reason not to want news filtered by a "foreign country that has many deep differences from my own country". Otherwise it is still just information. Seeing how the other culture "skewers" news is essential to understanding what is important to them and how THEY see the world, which is key to understanding THEM. Of course, if one has chosen to view "them" as simply the enemy who isn't worth understanding, this becomes unnecessary. But for the rest of us, who wish to be able to make our own opinions instead of having some "news" network give it to us for ready use, ANY point of view - even the most dramatically opposite to ours - is enlightening and worth considering.

 

[Jack Springer]

Two observations:

1. Considering how biased news are in the US, one should always welcome outside sources, regardless of where they come from, to balance that.

2. Considering how biased news are in the US, it's not really surprising that so many people on here can't even fathom news NOT being biased, when, frankly, many countries hold their news to much higher standards than America does. There are always interests, but they aren't always the driving force, as it is here.

You can always move.

 

[Rolyo85]

You can always buy a kite and run giggling on some beach with it. Your point?

Can sanctimonious "patriotic" right-wingers on here move past the knee-jerk reaction to any criticism by a foreigner with "if you don't like it, get the fuck out"? It is WILDLY offensive, insensitive and shows absolute blindness to any nuance in communication and discussion.

No, I do not "hate America". I love it. But as any great country, it has great problems to match its great achievements. To refuse to acknowledge that is to invite willing blindness and deny yourself the chance to grow. Your xenophobic oversimplified response to my two points fails to address either of them, instead safely huddling in a personal attack.

You know what? With your hatred of Obama and everything Democrat, and considering the fact us liberals are now a MAJORITY in this country, I'd say YOU can always fucking move.

 

[Jack Springer]

^^
I hear Siberia is very nice this time of year. I could send you some color brochures, but they would be mostly snow.

 

[Rolyo85]

...then again, if one prefers being a troll, that's one's personal choice and who am I to say anything.

Your refusal to ever rise above petty bickering and sad insulting quasi-sarcasm is entirely your personal decision, and you own it. Don't blame others for their reactions to you, because you're the architect of every word in them.

 

[Kulindahr]

You can always move.

You are aware that telling people to "get out!" if they don't worship their country is an element of fascism, right?

 

[Rolyo85]

Jack's pathetic derailing posts aside, my two points stand. The US media is MORE biased than many other first world news outlets, and Americans rush to look for bias in everything, when often it isn't there. Not saying Al Jazeera wouldn't be biased, but it would certainly be an interesting contrast that would be worth analyzing. And as someone said, a country that allows the KKK and the Phelps travesty, doesn't have any ground to stand on to refuse a legitimate news network.

 

[Jack Springer]

You really don't understand America so I can see why you don't understand why some people would be upset about a "news outlet" owned by anther country.

One of the foundations of the USA is free speech. Al Jezeera will get their propaganda station -- but Americans have the right to turn it off as they did with Current TV and Air America.