In March 2006 Al Jazeera launches its much anticipated English-language channel. Although it will avail itself of the original Al Jazeera’s worldwide bureaus and other resources, it will be a separate news agency with its own staff and editorial control. Employing seasoned veterans from CNN, BBC and the original Al Jazeera, the new news channel intends to have an international perspective while retaining a degree of Arab-ness. This intention is demonstrated by the location of its four primary offices: London, Washington DC, Kuala Lumpur, and Doha. The station will give London, Washington DC, and Kuala Lumpur three hours of full editorial control each. Doha, its main office, will get the remaining 12. While this will be an Arab English language channel, officials from Al Jazeera International (AJI) insist that it will not be politically biased. Quoting from its press release, “Al Jazeera International will pursue no domestic agenda. The channel will seek blue-chip journalism with accurate, impartial and objective reporting.” Problems getting on cable TV? Lofty Goals Watching AJI But trust must be earned. And it is important to understand that despite high intentions AJI is primarily an Arab news network and, quite naturally, could favor an Arab worldview. In order to see the larger picture the new channel should be viewed with some sense of its origins. All of our views are shaped by where we come from.
Arguments about ‘right vs. wrong’ and ‘good vs. evil’ may be unproductive.
The fact is that Al Jazeera represents a widely held Arabic worldview and
therefore should be taken seriously. The forthcoming AJI should not be
immediately trusted but neither should it be immediately distrusted. If
there is ever to be any progress in Middle Eastern affairs, we all have to
keep an open mind.
More on the Mideast, Arab and Muslim Relations by Todd Watson |
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