As an American who lives part-year in France and watches Al Jazeera English regularly, I hope that Burlington maintains their original, commendable, decision to offer the station.
Compared to other major international news stations (BBC international; CNN international; France 24..), Al Jazeera English offers the widest coverage of stories in all regions of the world. (I won't mention the U.S. networks, which, as far as international stories go, are barely worthy of being regarded as genuine news sources) Its coverage of Africa is at least comparable to that of the BBC and its coverage of the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America is more extensive than that of any of other stations, all of which I have watched. Stories are often longer and more in depth than those aired by the other majors. If you want to get a sense of major developments in places like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Irag, China, ...(and yes, even Israel, Al Jazeera is overall the best English-language network to watch.
I have found the reporting on Al Jazeera English to be very objective. Unlike their counterparts on American stations, Al Jazeera commentators do not try to be 'entertainers' and normally refrain from the editorialising via sighs, pauses, and other theatrical gestures that you see all too often on American stations. I too find it difficult to believe that any honest person who really had watched Al Jazeera English (while sober) could make the assertions advanced by one of the earlier writers here.
A few minutes ago, I watched a several minute segment on the latest glitch in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The reporting stuck to the facts, on both sides: that Israel closed the crossings into Gaza after rocket attacks by a (non-Hamas) faction in Gaza; and that those responsible for the rockets claimed that they were in response to Israel attacks on members of their group in the West Bank. Just the facts. The story was followed by an equally objective story on recent killings of civilians by American soldiers. It mentioned the anger of many Iraquis about these deaths but it also clearly reported that the deaths occurred in the course of raids or other combat and reported the justifications given by American military authorities.
It would not be possible to show the Iraq story on an American station, of course. The Al Jazeera story showed bodies of some of those killed, which violates the injunction against disturbing Americans by showing them what war really involves. Even without the bodies, even hints that Iraqis might be less than thrilled with the American presence is something that major U.S news outlets seem to deem inappropriate for broadcast.
This is really the problem. News and objective informed discussion in the media have become so limited that something more objective and in-depth seems alien, like it has come from another planet. Too many people believe that truth, if it is unpalatable, is propaganda; that reality is unpatriotic if it doesn't fit preconceptions. (I am always struck when I return to the U.S. by how much public debate of key issues is restricted by political correctness and 'things we all know'). Opposition to Al Jazeera Enlish also fits with the broader Islamophobia that unfortunately has become all too widespread in the U.S.
Retention of Al Jazeera English by Burlington would be a small step, but a useful one, toward a more rational approach to understanding the rest of the world. So I hope they will do the right thing.
Compared to other major international news stations (BBC international; CNN international; France 24..), Al Jazeera English offers the widest coverage of stories in all regions of the world. (I won't mention the U.S. networks, which, as far as international stories go, are barely worthy of being regarded as genuine news sources) Its coverage of Africa is at least comparable to that of the BBC and its coverage of the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America is more extensive than that of any of other stations, all of which I have watched. Stories are often longer and more in depth than those aired by the other majors. If you want to get a sense of major developments in places like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Irag, China, ...(and yes, even Israel, Al Jazeera is overall the best English-language network to watch.
I have found the reporting on Al Jazeera English to be very objective. Unlike their counterparts on American stations, Al Jazeera commentators do not try to be 'entertainers' and normally refrain from the editorialising via sighs, pauses, and other theatrical gestures that you see all too often on American stations. I too find it difficult to believe that any honest person who really had watched Al Jazeera English (while sober) could make the assertions advanced by one of the earlier writers here.
A few minutes ago, I watched a several minute segment on the latest glitch in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The reporting stuck to the facts, on both sides: that Israel closed the crossings into Gaza after rocket attacks by a (non-Hamas) faction in Gaza; and that those responsible for the rockets claimed that they were in response to Israel attacks on members of their group in the West Bank. Just the facts. The story was followed by an equally objective story on recent killings of civilians by American soldiers. It mentioned the anger of many Iraquis about these deaths but it also clearly reported that the deaths occurred in the course of raids or other combat and reported the justifications given by American military authorities.
It would not be possible to show the Iraq story on an American station, of course. The Al Jazeera story showed bodies of some of those killed, which violates the injunction against disturbing Americans by showing them what war really involves. Even without the bodies, even hints that Iraqis might be less than thrilled with the American presence is something that major U.S news outlets seem to deem inappropriate for broadcast.
This is really the problem. News and objective informed discussion in the media have become so limited that something more objective and in-depth seems alien, like it has come from another planet. Too many people believe that truth, if it is unpalatable, is propaganda; that reality is unpatriotic if it doesn't fit preconceptions. (I am always struck when I return to the U.S. by how much public debate of key issues is restricted by political correctness and 'things we all know'). Opposition to Al Jazeera Enlish also fits with the broader Islamophobia that unfortunately has become all too widespread in the U.S.
Retention of Al Jazeera English by Burlington would be a small step, but a useful one, toward a more rational approach to understanding the rest of the world. So I hope they will do the right thing.