As revolutions ripple through the Middle East, Al Jazeera has kept its cameras rolling. Few American cable networks offer Al Jazeera English, but it has nevertheless received more and more praise here, as so many of us have depended on its online livestream to follow the events unfolding overseas. Journalism.co.uk reports that the AJE website “claims to have seen a 2500 percent increase in visitors” since its Egypt protest coverage—and that’s even despite the Egyptian government’s move to shut down its Cairo bureau and revoke its broadcast license.
Today we see hints of a future for Al Jazeera English on American cable providers, as well; the network’s first meeting is with Comcast in New York. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time.
If you’ve been watching Al Jazeera English throughout the past several weeks, what do you like about it, and what don’t you like? How does the coverage there compare to other Western cable news, like CNN, MSNBC, or Fox? What about PBS? Finally, what do you predict for AJE’s future within the American media landscape?
Al Jazeera is the only major news source that I follow anymore. Their level of reporting is unmatched, and they don't add all the fluff that other new organizations thrive on.
#1 Posted by Andrew Tunison, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:14 PM
There is no comparison with other news media. Al Jazeera blows em all away! Thank you Al Jazeera for being a real news org 4 the people.
#2 Posted by PaulfromUSA, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:15 PM
I just watch Al Jazeera for Mideast coverage because the US MSM is pathetic joke!
#3 Posted by Steve Ardire, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:16 PM
I have been watching the live stream and I think that AJE would be a good compliment to the current news options on cable.
Two things stand out about AJE: first, it focuses on international news in a way that the cable news giants can't. Second, it is valuable to view a journalistic perspective that is not American/British.
#4 Posted by Kevin Bondelli, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:20 PM
i cannot watch fox or cnn for the middle east/africa coverge. Al Jazeera english is awesome. I have one old laptop/server computer streaming it 24/7.
their perspective is a bit different then american/british HOWEVER of what nationality are the managing editor and the publishers etc......grednri
#5 Posted by David Shapiro, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:25 PM
I hold Al-Jazeera English in the same vein as Reuters, the AP, and othe global media sources. Their reporting is one of the more unbiased sources, with journalists representing various nationalities and demographics, and still remaining objective and professional, and the topics covered ranging every topic from every continent. That, to me, is true reporting for news-conscious people who want to know the truth of news from around the world and not just their own.
#6 Posted by Aisha Khan, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:26 PM
The difference between AJE and the US major news channels is that AJE concentrate on the story as it relates to local people. They do not care if they upset outside country interests when reporting, they are concerned with getting the local opinion out.
This may not be in accordance with USA interests or politics, but they will tell you how you are perceived by the nationals of allies and enemies alike.
#7 Posted by steve, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:34 PM
A couple years ago I told my cable provider that if Al Jazeera was added to the programming lineup they would lose me as a customer. I managed to get about 20 of my friends and family to make the same call. Looks like we have to call them again.
#8 Posted by Mike H, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:46 PM
Al Jazeera = Holding governments accountable. MSM = Corporation control! No longer watch MSM. Want real uncensored news? Watch Al Jazeera!
#9 Posted by justpassingthru, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:49 PM
CNN, FOX & MSNBC have agendas when reporting.Their style is lightweight & soundbites only, interrupted constantly to advertise. US News is so parochial, even when international news is reported, it's always reported in how will it affect the US. Strong & twisted bias is always attached if reporting on a country the US is not happy with. AJE reports on the facts pertaining to that area. Apart from delivering up to the minute news with their excellent clan of professional journalists & presenters, they also offer in depth reports of situations in countries all over the world offering an unbiased view & clear information. US NEWS will never be able to compete with the quality of AJE. AJE - a news channel for people who want intelligent, honest news.
#10 Posted by VMack, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:51 PM
To be somewhat contrarian to the other comments here, I like Al Jazeera for its comprehensive coverage. It was staggering to watch a week or so ago while it followed one report after the other from Damascus, Tel Aviv, Ankara, Sanaa, etc.
But objective, and I'm not talking about "the view from nowhere"? It seemed a little cheerleading to me. The questions posed by anchors to the field reporters seemed designed to skew the answers.
Still, even seeing a journalist reporting from the streets of the Gaza Strip was fascinating.
http://NewsCommonsense.com
#11 Posted by Bob Griendling, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 04:56 PM
It's brilliant, and it's fresh. Like the BBC.
#12 Posted by Manas Shaikh, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 05:01 PM
Al Jazeera English has been nothing short of brilliant.
Being from the UK, I was amazed how pro-US position the bias on the BBC was. You can only work it out when you have an alternative position to compare with.
I now take in at least 1 Al Jazeera English bulletin every day (amongst others).
#13 Posted by David, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 05:07 PM
AJE is now a fixture in my life, running full time. It's in its another realm from what is available here, beyond the BBC. They work very hard to give us as complete a picture as possible. For shame, MSM.
#14 Posted by bfein, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 05:08 PM
Al-Jazeera English News network is by far and wide the current bearer of the torch of free, fair and ethical news reporting in the world today. After almost two decades of a decline in journalism I hope that world news media will begin to once again take up its role as the fourth estate of the citizens of this truly democratic wave sweeping the world. Al-Jazeera is the point of the spear cracking open truth to the dismay of those that fear truth coming to light - hence they have also been targeted by many "authorities" around the world (from G.W.Bush,Mubarak,Gaddafi,etc.etc). I encourage everyone to learn more about the world in which we live by piering through the honest and sometimes grim lense Al-Jazeera rightly provides world citizens. Only through an honest reckoning of events can we take positive and comprehensive steps to improve, even save, the world we all share.
#15 Posted by Robert Wadleigh, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 05:19 PM
Prior to the Egyptian revolution, I counted upon BBC as the most reliable and unbiased source. Differences in the reporting of BBC and ALJ during the first few days showed how biased even BBC seemed in reporting facts! No other news organization came close to ALJ's coverage.
Of course, MidEast is their playground. One needs to see how they fare in other regions as well. But from what I have seen so far, they have the potential.
#16 Posted by Mih-Germany, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 06:17 PM
I agree to the general tone. In my opinion, it gives one of the best coverage of international matters available. Especially in recent weeks it has proven to be by far the best source for up to date information about what is happening in the Middle East! As I am from Germany, I am comparing the German news channels as well as CNN, BBC and the like with each other. I always find myself switching back to Al Jazeera. German channels almost exclusively refer to Al Jazeera anyway (or Al Arabiya).
I especially like the way they conduct interviews. They often try to dig deeper and ask provoking questions that challenge the person being interviewed to express their opinions very clearly. Actually, just like interviews should always be conducted.
Thanks to Doha!
#17 Posted by Sebastian Stammler, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 08:12 PM
Hope other channels will be transforming to the right style, as it is shown by AJE
#18 Posted by Ismail, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 08:47 PM
To compare AJE to the AP is to insult AJE.
#19 Posted by Dan A., CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 09:16 PM
Only news I watch these days (via net) Thinking of quitting satellite completely. Elevted discussion. Best News coverage. Most attractive, cultured, and intelligent (women) announcers. (Sherine Tadros, Hoda Abdel-Hamid (Doha) etc,) make the USA crews look tawdry, limiited and uncouth.
So I have a dedicated Laptop on my network for Al-Jazera only.
#20 Posted by Brett Breitwieser, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 09:35 PM
Only news I watch these days (via net) Thinking of quitting satellite completely. Elevated discussion. Best News coverage. Most attractive, cultured, and intelligent (women) announcers. (Sherine Tadros, Hoda Abdel-Hamid (Doha) etc,) make the USA crews look tawdry, limiited and uncouth.
So I have a dedicated Laptop on my network for Al-Jazera only.
#21 Posted by Yousef Ibrahim, CJR on Tue 22 Feb 2011 at 09:37 PM
Danish cable providers does not provide al-jazeera english (only arabic), so I have to use the online version. I think AJ should be compared to CNN, and in this respect, these things stand out:
* Southern hemisphere news (obviously) - but also european news (example: hungarian environmental disaster autumn 2010)
* Deep focus on politics
* Less sports and commercials
AJ is my favourite - only downside is the (obvious) lack of focus on Danish politics
#22 Posted by Jan, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 03:46 AM
AJEnglish was definitely better informed than BBC world and others about what's happening in Libya for the past few days.
#23 Posted by Afauno, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 06:41 AM
Althought there's one important point where traditional journalism failed yesterday : all outlets claim there is no twitter or facebook contact still blogging from Tripoli, when this is simply NOT TRUE for twitter.
See for instance http://twitter.com/#!/AliTweel. He's been tweeting there for the past few days. His information is most valuable but is lost in the mass.
#24 Posted by Afauno, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 06:48 AM
As a freelance journalist living in Haiti, I've seen up close how hard-working and hard-hitting Al Jazeera can be. Their correspondent here, Sebastian Walker, did superb work and assembled a crew of experienced Haitian producers and fixers. For Haiti television coverage, there was simply no alternative and if there was, it was unlikely to match the quality of AJE's reports. Sadly, their Port-au-Prince bureau is closing now, but I hear Walker and other correspondents will continue to visit and report on Haiti as events unfold.
#25 Posted by ansel, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 09:33 AM
Al Jazeera, which I watch on my computer, has been absolutely outstanding in its coverage of the various Middle East uprisings. In Egypt, despite having its bureau trashed and been declared illegal, AJ has been on top of the story and way ahead of all the other networks, including the BBC, which I fouind superior to all the US networks. I hope that Americans will soon be able to watch AJ on their TV sets.
#26 Posted by Bill Fisher, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 01:12 PM
I watch, read and listen to Al Jazeera news because the network gives more context maybe because their journalists actually come from some of the areas that are being covered so they are able to give greater context and background. Whatever the case, Al Jazeera provides an alternative view when it comes to covering Africa and the Middle East that is absent from CNN & BBC. Where else can I read about Senegal severing ties with Iran without having commentary peppered in about "Western interests" or how if will affect the West? I think it is important that an alternative voice exists because news is not filtered only for the "Western viewer" but for the global viewer who, most of the time, are the recipients and are affected of the consequences of "Western interests."
#27 Posted by Arao Ameny, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 01:27 PM
I first watched Al Jazeera English while traveling internationally, and was immediately impressed with the professionalism of the reporting, and the feeling that no one at Al Jazeera was being controlled by corporate or government interests. I would love to see it brought to the USA. Good broadcast journalism being delivered the way it should be. Gives me hope !!
#28 Posted by Nancy Boyett, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 01:29 PM
Al Jazeera is invaluable. It's faster and more accurate than even the Beeb, and the way it has connected all the platforms (twitter, Facebook, live blog roll, etc,) is the best out there. It's shameful cable won't offer it across the board.
#29 Posted by Andy McPharlane, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 01:42 PM
Al Jazeera has a greater knowledge of the terrain than the usual news channels. It offers unmatched analysis of the region and of the strategic relations between the West and the Arab/African world.
As a Westerner I enjoy to see "local" journalists, politicans and academia talk about their country. They have an interesting outsider eye on our Western politics too. Great Channel, good to have another point of view outside BBC, CBC, CNN or France 24! (Johann, France, pro football player).
#30 Posted by Johann, CJR on Wed 23 Feb 2011 at 10:40 PM
Al Jazeera is far and away better than anything I can compare it with. I'm limited to Link/TV via Direct for ALJ--streaming impossible with dial-up but their web-site is great. ALJ, PBS, and some C-Span, as well as reading news online from around the globe, is tho only source for truthful unbiased news.
#31 Posted by loco mojo, CJR on Thu 24 Feb 2011 at 12:26 AM
I love watching the Al Jazeera feeds which I usually watch on live stream via newarabica.com. This gives me an excellent combination of television and aggregated print coverage.
#32 Posted by Greg Davis, CJR on Fri 25 Feb 2011 at 04:11 AM
I love watching the Al Jazeera feeds which I usually watch on live stream via www.newarabica.com. This gives me an excellent combination of television and aggregated print coverage.
#33 Posted by Greg Davis, CJR on Fri 25 Feb 2011 at 04:15 AM
I am a conservative, i.e., the iconic "Ugly American," but appreciate Al Jazeera's excellent international coverage nonetheless, the US bashing notwithstanding. But I notice that Al Jazeera Arabic often covers either more provocative stories, or, if the story is on the English site, the text is far more inflammatory toward the West. This seems unethical, at the very least. Shouldn't they tell us exactly what they are telling the Arabs? If not, shouldn't there be a notice that this is not a translation of the Arabic version, but a completely different newspaper?
#34 Posted by Ed Franks, PhD, CJR on Fri 25 Feb 2011 at 11:19 PM
Started watching Al-Jazeera English in order to follow the protests in Egypt. Its my first stop for news concerning the middle east. I enjoy the documentaries it produces as well. I generally augment my Al-Jazeera with a touch of "The Guardian" I like their interactive maps and geo-located Twitter feeds. I am currently writing letters requesting to have Al-Jazeera offered on my local Cable network in the US. I don not feel like I can make any sort of educated statement concerning the veracity and neutrality of the reporting... I can say It feels fresh and unobstructed... but I have no experience with the middle east, its languages, or its customs... so such comments are of limited value.
#35 Posted by Peter Farell, CJR on Sat 26 Feb 2011 at 12:22 AM
I gave up on network news many years ago. It's become irrelevant with its pop culture fixation and commercials every five minutes. Al-Jazeera live blog served me well during the Egyptian and Libyan uprising. The website combines great writing and powerful images to deliver an unbiased view of the situation. Can't wait till it's on my cable so I can eliminate low channel numbers from my remote.
#36 Posted by Ray Richard, CJR on Sat 26 Feb 2011 at 11:00 AM
Al Jazeera is the only source I will use for the Middle East. They have pretty balanced viewpoints and are always fair. I firmly believe that they will be a major player in the U.S. in the near future.
#37 Posted by Ryan, CJR on Wed 2 Mar 2011 at 04:27 PM
Some of my relatives, FOX News enthusiasts among them, turned to Al-Jazeera English online when I was in Cairo during the Egyptian revolution and as FOX and CNN were covering non-essential stories. They couldn't get enough of it.
#38 Posted by Justin Martin, CJR on Wed 2 Mar 2011 at 04:40 PM
Al Jazeera is a highly professional newsgathering organization, and highly accurate. Some reporters, such as its White House female reporter, are blatenly biased against Obama and the reports suffer. Like Fox, Al Jazeera has a theme. Al Jazeera's theme is "for the people." But unlike Fox, they are upfront about their reporting framework. I highly admire them.
#39 Posted by Neil P. Scott, CJR on Thu 3 Mar 2011 at 12:40 AM
Al Jazeera is a professional newsgathering organization, accurate and pungent. Some reporters, as their White House female reporter, are blatently biased against Obama. Those reports suffer and distort. Like Fox, Al Jazeera has a theme. Al Jazeera's theme is "for the people." But unlike Fox, they are upfront about their reporting framework. I highly admire them.
#40 Posted by Neil P. Scott, CJR on Thu 3 Mar 2011 at 12:43 AM
@ Ed Franks, Phd, You should be aware that CNN International does exactly the same thing you note AJE does.
#41 Posted by Alice de Tocqueville, CJR on Thu 3 Mar 2011 at 09:34 AM
I go to AJE online first for international news, and have done so for some time, and now use BBC, NYT, etc for back-up or more usually to find out what the UK or US perspective is respectively, even on UK and US-based news. I don't bother at all to read the Australian (my country) media on international news and analysis, except to see what their line might be from time to time. Increasingly and paradoxically, I think it's clear that global internet media such as CNN, BBC, etc are revealed for the national, non-global perspectives they manifest, and what differentiates AJE is that a pan-middle east perspective transcends a simple national perspective. I also think the range and bite of AJE opinion pieces is seriously impressive.
#42 Posted by Chris Nash, CJR on Fri 4 Mar 2011 at 10:17 PM
The first time I watched AJ, I was in my hotel room in Nairobi, Kenya. I never dreamed that I would be watching it online so I could follow what's been happening in MENA.
I have been following their live feed. This is also the first time I've leaned on Twitter to keep on top of the news in Egypt, Libya and Yemen.
#43 Posted by Lena Nozizwe, CJR on Sun 6 Mar 2011 at 04:05 PM
Bravo to ALJ...No other news provider is equal to ALJ...BBC, CNN, FOX...ETC? WOW, far backward!
#44 Posted by Bill Lacombe, CJR on Tue 22 Mar 2011 at 05:22 AM