Poll: Al-Jazeera in English - will you watch?

[Lord Blackadder]

Aljazeera, the Middle east-based News network, is launching an English-language version (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6149310.stm) of its television news in hopes of expanding coverage into territory readitionally dominated by CNN and the BBC.

I've read their English-language website fairly often and find it an interesting alternative to other news sources. I think it has the same bias issues that other news sources have, but since the bias points in a different direction it makes you more aware of just how bias creeps into any news network.

I think this is a good thing - Al-Jazeera gives viewers a different picture of the middle east that allows people in Europe and the US to have a counterpoint news source to the usual networks, which often march in lock-step.

Right now it's only available in the US via broadband streaming (for 32-bit Windows & IE only :mad: ), but it may be picked up by a satellite cable company at some point. But assuming you could watch today, would you?

[pivo6]

I'll take a look if my satellite company puts it on, and I don't have to pay extra for it.

[OwlsAndApples]

I don't think I'd watch it, despite hating the bbc's bias about the middle east. I prefer getting some data from a reliable source and making my own conclusions, the bbc just tries to please everyone and fails miserably IMO.
I use google news to read the story from different places to see the consistencies.

[Felldownthewell]

If I could watch it I would...then again I'm a new junkie, and I spend far too much time on news sites as it is. However, it is an interesting new perspective and I would definitley watch it.

[lmalave]

I would definitely watch it. I think it's super-important to be exposed to different viewpoints even if you don't agree with them. I think what's happened over the past few years with the proliferation of cable news channels and blogs is that people are basically only watching/reading content that most closely matches and reinforces their biases already.

And the difference is striking. For example, during election night I was flipping back and forth between CNN and Fox News. It was so obvious that CNN was biased toward the Democrats (full disclosure: I'm a far-left liberal myself). Whenever early numbers showed a Democratic candidate behind, they would qualify it with: "these are just early results, they might change". Conversely, whenever early results showed a Democrat ahead, they would accept it as fact and explain all the reasons why the Democrat should be beating the Republican.

Furthermore, I found it sad that Fox News was able to call that the Democrats had gained a majority in the House hours before CNN did. Why? Because Fox News could call it as it saw it based on the *facts*, and it couldn't be accused of bias toward the Democrats. CNN on the other hand, had to be super-cautious about being accused of bias (especially after the 2000 Gore/Bush Florida election night flip-flop), so they had to wait to be 99.99% sure before making the call.

Also, there was a obvious, palpable, barely contained glee from the CNN correspondents whenever they were reporting good news about the Democrats. As a Democrat I was also bursting with joy at the news, but still I found it dismaying that a supposedly reputable news agency like CNN would show their bias so obviously.

Ok, rant over. So yes, I would like to watch Al-Jazeera so I can get some idea of how world events are being perceived by the Arab-language press.

[Counterfit]

Because Fox News could call it as it saw it based on the *facts*, and it couldn't be accused of bias toward the Democrats.
That's odd, I didn't think Fox News based anything on facts.

As for Al-Jazeera, I probably wouldn't watch it. Just like I don't watch any other news channels. It would simply become another option when I ignore all the existing ones already anyway.

[combatcolin]

From what i've read in normal left leading broadsheets (i like to very my paper) Al-Jazeera have narked off as many radical leaning Muslims as it has the Right wing Christian political partys of the west.

If it gets launced on Freeview i would be very intrested, but i get the feeling that it Sky only - and paid Sky at that.

At the very least it will piss off the Republican Neo Cons! :p

[risc]

I wouldn't watch it at all. Not that I have anything against Al Jazeera I just find the idea of 24 hour news offensive, I find it hard to even watch a 1/2 hour news broadcast. No news is good news for me.

[Raid]

I'd watch it, just to see what's being said over there about the Western world. Ask three different people about what happened at a particular event and you'll probably get 3 different answers. Sadly with all the syndicated news we are often not getting as may viewpoints as we should.

[Swarmlord]

Why would I want to watch the propaganda arm of Al Quaida, Hamas and Hezzbollah? Frankly, I wouldn't trust the translation.

[xsedrinam]

A new twist of Lost in Translation?

[lmalave]

That's odd, I didn't think Fox News based anything on facts.


Counterfit, why do you hate America? :p:D

You obviously want the terrorists to win! :p

[Mr. Durden]

At my work we can watch AlJazeera on TV in certain offices. I've watched it a few times and even though I obviously cant tell exactly what they are saying, it seems to have pretty decent production values.

Its funny (as in interesting, not ha ha) how you can tell when they are talking about American or "Allied" troops just by the tone and graphics. And the video they show of troops isnt the "look how nice and friendly the liberating troops are" video that we see here. Its troops with guns out, pointed and Iraqis with there hands up or being beat down or whatever. People crying, dead bodies, etc... They have much looser guidlines for what is acceptable to put on the air apparently.


Oh, and yes, I would watch it, if for no other reason than to get another viewpoint on things.

[Bern]

Why watch something based on radical political views by a bunch of neanderthal killers?

[clayj]

Is there a "hell, no" choice for this poll?

The US version of al-Jazeera isn't even going to be the same as the Persian Gulf version. For example, suicide bombers aren't going to be referred to as "martyrs". If they're going to change the editorial content, then it's NOT the same channel.

If al-Jazeera is going to be shown here, it should be the ORIGINAL version, subtitled into English, so we can all see EXACTLY what they are saying over there.

[spicyapple]

If al-Jazeera is going to be shown here, it should be the ORIGINAL version, subtitled into English, so we can all see EXACTLY what they are saying over there.

Translation loses the subtle nuance of the native language.

I read the english-translated subtitles of a Persian-language documentary video and it wasn't the same. At least with English-spoken Al Jazeera, there is no doubt to the translation.

[Lau]

I'd be interested to, definitely, but I since I rarely watch TV news anyway, I doubt I'd get round to it. I must check it out on the web though, as it and weekend papers is how I get my news at the moment.

[Sesshi]

Why watch something based on radical political views by a bunch of neanderthal killers?

Why would I want to watch the propaganda arm of Al Quaida, Hamas and Hezzbollah? Frankly, I wouldn't trust the translation.

Why watch US news channels indeed (although its reverse Al-Quaida propaganda in this case ;) ).

Personally I've no need for an English version of Al-Jazeera - I've got the US channels, CNN and BBC for that but I'd say it's a welcome addition.

[zflauaus]

I might watch it, if DirecTV put it on for free, or maybe over the internet if I had broadband, but I honestly think that it will not be the same Al-Jazeera that is Arab because they want to make it look like Arabic countries are not as bad, so they will be like Fox News, sway the facts to make them look good.

How many people are going to watch Glenn Beck's "Exposed: The Extremist Agenda?" I actually might because it will be very interesting to see the actual video from over there. My mom said she saw a preview on his show last night and was too scared to watch it. That may be true, but the fact is that everybody runs on fear, both television and terrorists. It's just a matter of time until this country is too vulnerable to turn back and be attacked and have more fear put into us.

Wow.... Where the hell did that come from? ~Looks around room~

[rockthecasbah]

I would take a little time out to watch it but i would hardly say it is goign to replace my news sources, just more of a curiosity thing. Now maybe if Comcast picked it up i'd think about it :p

[Lord Blackadder]

Is there a "hell, no" choice for this poll?

The US version of al-Jazeera isn't even going to be the same as the Persian Gulf version. For example, suicide bombers aren't going to be referred to as "martyrs". If they're going to change the editorial content, then it's NOT the same channel.

You have a good point, and bring up the thing that bothers me the most about this expansion of Al-Jazeera. I know from reading the English web version that the network has a very vocal anti-US, anti-Isreali bias. But then again the US news networks have an only slighty more muted pro-Isreali bias. A friend of mine (and US Marine) has shown me clips of Al-Jazeera taped in the Middle East and I'm sure that we're getting a toned-down version, even though I can't understand Arabic. For one thing, in the US you can't show armed insurgents (in the act of ambushing an American military unit) having their heads blown off by US snipers while a screaming reporter stands 6 feet away...

It's true that the editorials and reader write-ins can be outrageous and vitriolic (I've seen "martyrs" being mentioned on occasion), but then again is that any different from some of the more outrageous (evangelical, hyper-conservative) editorials and write-ins we see in US newspapers/websites everyday?

I agree that the network has clear bias issues (and is no better than any other with regards to objectivity) but I wanted to highlight the fact that watching Al-Jazeera may have value - for one thing they sometimes have good articles dealing with how the Islamic world is changing, and there is a moderate element to their reporting that I hope continues to grow.

It's not like I feel any more comfortable with Rupert Murdoch. I don't want to give the impression that its a better or more trustworthy source, but it is more data. More info. Maybe if people watch it it will expand awareness of at least what other parts of the world are seeing in the same events we "see" through the news media.

[srf4real]

It would be nice to hear a different spin on the propaganda U.S. stations spew out... let's have some Middle Eastern propaganda too so as to be fair - minded.:rolleyes:

[mrkramer]

I would not watch them, because from what i have seen they seem to be even more biased than most US news networks.

[bousozoku]

I wouldn't mind taking a look, but I figure it will be the other side of the Fox News coin.

I wish I had a station, as I did in Philly, that supported a lot of different countries' news reports. BBC News and Deutsch Welle are the only other news shows I see here. Some NHK news might have a better perspective.

[Counterfit]

Ask three different people about what happened at a particular event and you'll probably get 3 different answers.

I asked 3 people about something, and got 5 answers. :confused:


Counterfit, why do you hate America? :p:D

You obviously want the terrorists to win! :p

Shut up Bill. :p

[combatcolin]

This poll has been almost 50/50 for a while.

[Kingsly]

This poll has been almost 50/50 for a while.

Don't you mean 23/23? :p

[clayj]

Don't you mean 23/23? :pIt's 24/24 right now. :p

[cait-sith]

I think this is a good thing - Al-Jazeera gives viewers a different picture of the middle east that allows people in Europe and the US to have a counterpoint news source to the usual networks, which often march in lock-step.

What about us in Australia, NZ, and Canada?

[Lord Blackadder]

What about us in Australia, NZ, and Canada?

What about them? :rolleyes:

I imagine you know what I meant...I'm not trying to exclude Australians, Canadians or New Zealanders...unless I'm talking to my Australian roomate, in which case I belittle Australia as much as possible.

[MacRumorUser]

I already watched some of it. Its good to see other perspectives than the ones we are given (or forced propoganda) - Fox News i'm looking at you ;)

The only way to understand other peoples opinions / viewpoints is to listen to them. You may not have to agree with them, but ignorance breeds contempt. As we can plainly see from ALL SIDES of the current conflict.

Why watch something based on radical political views by a bunch of neanderthal killers?

I agree. I refuse to watch FOX and listen to ANY Bush president address ever again. :rolleyes:

[Peterkro]

I think it's free to air at least in the UK contrary to some opinions on here it's not a Arabic version of Fox but a well respected news gathering organisation.

[combatcolin]

It's 24/24 right now. :p

And now its 32/32.

Hmmm :rolleyes:

A bit too evenly split.

Does the Macrumors poll software allow multiple votes?

[Lord Blackadder]

I had expected a clear "no" vote on this, so the weird 50/50 trend is a little surprising.

[MacRumorUser]

I had expected a clear "no" vote on this, so the weird 50/50 trend is a little surprising.

A geographical graph of yes / no votes would be an interesting read.

[Grakkle]

That's odd, I didn't think Fox News based anything on facts.

As for Al-Jazeera, I probably wouldn't watch it. Just like I don't watch any other news channels. It would simply become another option when I ignore all the existing ones already anyway.

Same. Though I'd probably take a look if I didn't have to pay extra for it. News channels are boring no matter where they come from.

[mrkramer]

ADoes the Macrumors poll software allow multiple votes?

No.

[Henri Gaudier]

Why would I want to watch the propaganda arm of Al Quaida, Hamas and Hezzbollah? Frankly, I wouldn't trust the translation.

So as to act as a counter weight against the Judeo-Christian stations that inform you of the wider world right now. Take a look at the media ownership of your country and consider.

[coffey7]

I find it hard to understand why anyone would think this news group is more trust worthy than US based services. for Gods sakes they told people the Americans went to Iraq to steal young children. And don't forget when they(Al-Jazeera) said the Jews blew up the towers because none of them showed up for work that day(on 9/11). My teacher even showed this(actual broadcasts) to us in my class. I thought it was a joke at first. Why would we want to steal children. The terrorists are best pals with them. When ever a new tape is made it is taken right to Al-Jazeera. This news group does not really help the Iraq people at all. The US military is not killing women and Children for fun or doing this on purpose. At this point the best thing that can happen is for the Iraq govt and people to take over the country and be independent. By showing only the negative things(and making stuff up) this does not help anyone. WHY IS EVERYONE SO INTO HELPING THE AFRICAN PEOPLE BUT NEVER ARABS. I think it would be great if the people of Iraq and other Arab countrys could have freedom. Do you think women are really happy being oppresed by scumbags like the Taliban? Did you watch the show on wednesday on CNN that showed what the Arab children are watching on tv? Instead of Scooby Doo they watch cartoons that show them how to hate the Jews and how to be a suicide bomber. thats not a way of life. To teach 5 and 6 year old kids how to hate and fill their lives with rage. You should watch the shows on Arab tv that they play around the clock. They sure are not watching the price is right.

[Henri Gaudier]

This is my point. No news company is impartial. Every one has an agenda. In the west it is a capitalistic Zionist agenda whilst Al-Jazeera has an orthodox Muslim agenda. If one hears both viewpoints, as slanted as they are - it may be possible to discern the truth of a situation.

I think your rather aggressive post of my country being "invaded by Muslims" has been pulled by the moderators but I'd like to respond to it. I found it very odd that an American, whose country was "founded" by mass migration would consider the movement of people an "invasion." The founding of modern day America is one so awful and violent and despicable most dare not look at it. As for my country, which is Bretagne, it is already invaded by French Catholics and Jews whose language and vile foreign ideologies is now the norm. It's hard not to yield and collaborate with the idiot consensus all around you isn't it? A pagan good morning to you all.

"And when, on the still cold nights, he pointed his nose at a star and
howled long and wolf-like, it was his ancestors, dead and dust, pointing nose
at star and howling down through the centuries and through him. And his
cadences were their cadences, the cadences which voiced their woe
and what to them was the meaning of the stillness, and the cold, and dark.
Thus, as token of what a puppet thing life is, the ancient song surged through him."

[Max Payne]

Yes I will... As far as I know, they use different perspective. In the UK, they'll say an Israeli soldier was killed by palastenians. bla bla bla. 8 Palastenians were killed.

In Al-Jazeera, they say, 8 palastenians were killed bla bla bla. 1 zionist was killed.

The news is there, it's just a matter of twisting it to your taste.

BTW, I am an arab, not a terrorist though :p :D

[Ugg]

I've an especial interest in the Balkans and one of the web sites that I frequent is serbianna.com. It has some of the most incredibly biased news I've found and spews a lot of bile in general. However, not only is it a way to get an idea of what the more extremist Serbs think (mostly the older ones), every once in awhile there's a little nugget that makes me think.

I voted yes even though I don't own a TV, but I would definitely be interested in seeing it at least once. I'm sure it will be a watered down version of the original al Jazeera, but an opposing viewpoint is always valuable.

[Counterfit]

BTW, I am an arab, not a terrorist though :p :D

Nice to meet you. I'm of French, French Canadian, Irish, and mostly Italian descent, and the only thing keeping from drinking like stereotypes say I should is lack of money. :D

[combatcolin]

Must admit im quite surprised by www.aljazeera.com willingness to let people state comments on news artcles like

"WE ARE IN THE GULF BECAUSE WE ARE COMING TO GET YOU. WE ARE IN IRAQ TO BE CLOSE TO IRAN. WHEN WILL YOU DUMB PEOPLE WAKE UP. YOU CAN NOT SEE WHAT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. WE HAVE YOU CORNERED."

Postered by a "JUSTICE from WILL PREVAIL"

from the storyline about 2 more US aircraft carriers arrving in the Gulf, to bring the amount of Carriers up to 4.

http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/review/article_full_story.asp?service_ID=12542

Had a look round, and is of course a massive pro-Muslim bias, and a anti-West bias too, but not quite as strong as i expected.

Propaganda of sorts then, but intelligent enough to admit its propaganda.

[thequicksilver]

Must admit im quite surprised by www.aljazeera.com willingness to let people state comments on news artcles like <snip>

A serious error on your part. Al Jazeera magazine is not in any way affiliated to the news network of the same name. Source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aljazeera.com)

The Al Jazeera news organisation website is at http://english.aljazeera.net/ - quite a difference between this and the .com site I think you'll agree.

[Lord Blackadder]

Here's (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2006/11/19/6016) an interesting Apple/Al-Jazeera connection courtesy Ars Technica.

From the article:

While Apple's overall market share has been insignificant for a decade, the company has a history of pursuing professional markets and mind share among influentials. In the past, Apple has been the singular choice of the publishing market, and of late the company has pursued the video editing market. That effort may have unintended benefits—and possibly consequences—as AME Info reports that Apple technology has been chosen by Al Jazeera for its news network in the English speaking world.

[yg17]

I'd watch it, but I'd be worried that the US government would label me as a terrorist for it and throw me in jail without any habeas corpus rights.

[combatcolin]

A serious error on your part. Al Jazeera magazine is not in any way affiliated to the news network of the same name. Source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aljazeera.com)

The Al Jazeera news organisation website is at http://english.aljazeera.net/ - quite a difference between this and the .com site I think you'll agree.

A serious error on your part Mr Bond, and now you shall pay for your mistake.

;)

[computeralex]

If you live in Western Canada, please check out and maybe sign my new petition to get English Al-Jazeera on Shaw Cable. English Al-Jazeera in much different than the origional one.
www.petitiononline.com/shawcabl/petition.html (http://www.petitiononline.com/shawcabl/petition.html)
Check out what English Al-Jazeera shows, you may be surprised! english.aljazeera.net/HomePage (http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage)

Thanks!