Al Jazeera English

This was the first time I had ever watched Al Jazeera English. Contrary to many U.S. new stations, the program focused more on international issues that are often ignored. In my opinion, this program should be shown on U.S. stations; however, I do not think it will be readily adopted.

1. How effective do you think the Internet will be for Al Jazeera as it attempts to reach a U.S. audience?

I believe the Internet will be extremely effective for Al Jazeera as it attempts to reach a U.S. audience. If, for instance, we lived in a time when the internet did not exist, I think Al Jazeera would never reach U.S. viewers. For one, it does not cater to advertisers interests. While I feel the show tended to be "fair and balanced," it painted a somewhat tainted image of the U.S. as a whole. What local advertiser is going to support a show that criticizes our prison systems and treatment of mentally ill people? Or a program that states they we are incorrectly identifying terrorists? Through the internet, Al Jazeera is able to escape the power that advertisers have over the media and show news that would, otherwise go unrecognized.


2. Based on your own observations, do you think that Al Jazeera English should be allowed to broadcast in the U.S.?

I definitely think Al Jazeera English should be allowed to broadcast in the U.S. It opened my eyes to a number of international and national issues that I had never heard about before and presented news in a fair and balanced manner. However, the likelihood that this program will be adopted on national news is very slim. Unfortunately, in our society it seems that people care more about the lives of celebrities than the Honduran poor. Even if this program did air, I would guess its time on the air would be relatively short lived. Also, I would doubt that very many U.S. stations will adopt it, since the program tends to focus on our structural problems (such as health care, prisons, etc.) and does not paint a very positive image of our country.


3. What, if anything, do you notice about Al Jazeera's approach to telling the news? How is it different than the U.S.-based TV news outlets that you have experienced?

Al Jazeera tends to focus on international news that often goes unnoticed. I found it interesting how many of the individuals interviewed were not people of great power, social status or wealth. I also found it intriguing how many of the stories posted went into great detail about the issues being describes. Rather than just skimming the surface, the program incorporated traditional journalism techniques as well as investigative reporting strategies. If Murrow were to see this station today, I think he would be proud.

Unlike many U.S.-based TV news outlets Al Jazeera gets the facts out will little to no spin. The program effectively presents both sides of the story and incorporates an "in-depth" approach to journalism. Many U.S. stations, I feel, present news reporting from a "Hollywood" perspective. Instead of focusing on ways to please the advertisers, the program reports what it wants to without all the "fluff." Overall, I was extremely pleased with the program and I hope that it will be adopted one day on U.S. national television.


4. While on the Al Jazeera site, be sure to check out the network's published Code of Ethics. Based on your own observations, do you think they are adhering to them?

Yes, I think that the site adhered to the network's published Code of Ethics. No matter what, every story will contain some element of spin and is framed in a certain manner so that it cannot be completely objective. However, I think the site did a good job of presenting both sides of the story. (Although, in a couple of the pieces such as "Few 'terror' suspects convicted in U.S.,' more evidence could have been incorporated by interviewing more government officials). Overall, I felt the site upheld its Code and practiced professional, accurate news reporting.