Al-Jazeera English Goes Worldwide

By: Hillary Profita
Topics: Media Issues

(AFP/Getty Images)

While the launch of Al-Jazeera English – the English-language sister network to Al Jazeera – isn't getting any major U.S. satellite cable distribution, Americans can read plenty about its launch within American newspapers this week. In addition to the fact that it has no major US television distribution, there's one more element of the new venture that's getting traction -- the gap that Al-Jazeera is trying to fill. It's one that many a media critic has griped about in American television news: a lack of foreign news coverage.

Former CBS News correspondent Tom Fenton has discussed the matter in detail here on Public Eye. So did Washingtonian Editor-at-Large Garrett Graff. And when we ask CBS News employees in our weekly "10 Plus 1" feature what they think the network could spend more time covering, one of the most common responses is, you guessed it, foreign news.

In its profile of the network, The Los Angeles Times notes an interesting fact: AJE has "more foreign correspondents in world capitals than all the U.S. networks combined."

According to the Washington Post, the network has "positioned many of its 500-plus journalists outside of traditional news centers in Europe and North America, in a necklace of bureaus spanning Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East."

"We will cover Asia from within Asia, the Middle East from within the Middle East, Europe from within Europe and the Americas from within the Americas," Will Stebbins, AJE's Washington Bureau Chief told the LA Times.

And instead of originating programs only from the traditional hubs – London, New York, Washington, D.C. – AJE will split the day of programming between its bureaus in Washington; London; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Doha, Qatar.

Of course, the new network has drawn ire from many critics who fear that it will resemble the traditional Al-Jazeera, which has been criticized as a mouthpiece for terrorists and Iraqi insurgents. One industry watcher told the LA Times: "The very name Al Jazeera is a bigger obstacle than most cable networks have at launch."

The Associated Press notes that "the station is burdened with a reputation among Americans as anti-U.S. — an image Al-Jazeera insists is unfair. Its staffers argue that while the station has an Arab viewpoint, its coverage is balanced."

An AJE spokesman told AP that some US cable carriers were taking a "show-me" approach to the fledgling network – gauging reaction before they agree to carry the programming.

While a lack of foreign news coverage on television news channels that are widely available to Americans is a prevailing complaint, it seems yet unclear whether the demand for such content is actually there. If AJE provides it and there is money to be made, then – even as critics of Al-Jazeera continue to voice their concerns – there will certainly be an impetus for cable carriers in broadcasting it. Otherwise, access to AJE does exist elsewhere: you can watch it online on the network's Web site and on several Internet services that broadcast it.

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by jtdavies3 November 17, 2006 12:43 PM EST: darthlaurie-

Do you know what freedom of speech means?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It is a restriction on the government, not a requirement that private websites post links.

While you're researching also look into tiinyurl.com; Reply to this comment


by hprofita November 16, 2006 2:28 PM EST: darthlaurie:

A link to Al Jazeera English's web site has been added to the story.; Reply to this comment


by darthlaurie November 16, 2006 1:01 PM EST: I find it amusing that they don't mention the Al Jazeera website's address. Heaven forbid we have freedom of speech in this country. I wonder if those of us who want to be informed and actually go to the Al Jazeera website are now on the FBI watch list?!
Oh, for the curious, here's the website: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/55ABE840-AC30-41D2-BDC9-06BBE2A36665.htm?&vid=6&ansid=3; Reply to this comment


by tvgenius November 16, 2006 12:24 PM EST: Watched a bit Wednesday morning online... liked the set/graphics/etc... and felt a lot like I was watching the BBC in terms of the style of presentation. Nice to see world news from another perspective... and actual 'world news', not the latest argument in DC over the war on terror and an update on how many died in Iraq today. Also no mention of Tom and Katie... nice touch.; Reply to this comment


by oldat45 November 16, 2006 5:54 AM EST: Who really owns Al-Jazeera? What are you gonna do, cousin? Drive over there in your hotrod Ford pick-up and beat the *** outta somebody and show %u2018em who%u2019s boss? You are such a rube.

Doh! Either you failed to read a newspaper in the last 5 years, or you get you world view from CBS News.

Al-Jazeera is wholly owned by the Government of Qatar (can you find that on a map, boys and girls?). They funded it as a news station to present the Arab viewpoint in a modern, hi-tech environment. The Qataris, before you get all excited, are actually very good friends of the United States. It is overseas, too, so consider that fact before loading your pick-up truck with camping supplies (3 cases of beer, deer jerky and a 12 gauge).

The Qatar Government is not known to use government control over the editorial policies; an Al-Jazeera has a reputation for independence. Actually, very little of their coverage is about Bin Laudin, and they simply report the stories as they see them.. Of course, they report the other side of the Palestinian situation. For example, do you recall seeing any news reports form CBS showing why the Palestinians feel so strongly about this? They truly feel that Israel and the US are the bad guys. Are you interested to know that? Ever wonder why they feel that way?

When it makes the airwaves, try to watch. Try to keep yourself from shooting the screen. Think of it as hunting%u2026 The bear wants to eat YOU, too. Learn from it, brother.; Reply to this comment


by oldat45 November 16, 2006 5:23 AM EST: Having lived and worked in the Middle East over the last several years, I view a lot of Arabic news (in English), everything from weather reports to good-news stories. Funny, it's a lot like CBS. (Of course, I get CNN International, Japan, Spain, France & UK news, too).

Seeing cute Katie Couric's hatchet job today on Al-Jazeera told me 2 things. First, she really is a lightweight fluffer with no mind to understand what she reads. Secondly, CBS did a big favor for the rightwing head-in-the-sand fundamentalists in the US (as bad as Al Qaeda).

Why perpetuate our stupidity & arrogance about the rest of the planet? HELLO - there's far more of them than us. We do not own the moral high ground?

Yes, Al-Jazeera posts communications from Bin Lauden. Will CNN do it? CBS News? These communications are vital to our finding him.

We Westerners need to hear & understand the Arab voice. You don't have to agree, but you'd best understand why a significant number of people in this world believe it's God's will to kill you.

But you may learn that we are not always right in our thinking either. Is CBS News is afraid of an educated viewer?

Let%u2019s see who will have the guts to bring Al-Jazeera via cable or satellite to America. It%u2019s vital that you see it, understand it, mock it, love it, hate it, or agree with it. Don%u2019t let dingy little Katie%u2019s puppet handlers tell you everything is fine in Oz.

I strongly recommend you watch & draw your own conclusions.; Reply to this comment


by radio18 November 16, 2006 4:41 AM EST: Who really owns Al-Jazeera?

That would be great investigative journalism.

Please provide us with your utmost intelligence.

I'm certain that with the past elections you'll have an easier time**; Reply to this comment