I'm sorry Al Jazeera is not "News"

[NightWatcher]

Where are the people yelling at each other on split screen shots?

Where are the bimbos reading the news? The guy on Al Jazeera isn't even cute, he's old. (he does have good hair though)

Why are they talking about things that happened in other parts of the world? Hello, America is #1

This just won't work.

[spanone]

1. bwahahahahahaaaa... sadly true

[Puglover]

2. So far I love it.

We skipped NBC and it's fluffy shit last night and really enjoyed Al Jazeera. Rachel was great with her coverage of McDonnell but we will definitely be watching Al Jazeera.

[kelliekat44]

37. I loved it before. I loved Al Jazeera English. FOX will always keep it

Last edited Wed Aug 21, 2013, 12:55 PM - Edit history (1)

idiot base, but CNN and MSNBC will be losing out to Al Jazeera in my house. nt

[mojowork_n]

50. It's actually the other way around.

Al Gore, who owned Current, sold it to Al Jazeera.

Which prompted some cable carriers (Time Warner, for instance, where I used to be able to see Steph & the Mooks), to drop the new channel like a hot potato.

So I have no idea what Al Jazeera news is like, but I think there's probably a place for both -- what Current was before it was sold, a place for commentary and satire and talk and ideas -- and a real news-gathering / straight reporting network.

[kelliekat44]

57. Thanks for helping me unscramble my thoughts. I updated to say what I really meant. nt

[Rockyj]

71. Me too!

I watch the Al Jezeera English version online, already love Al Jezeera America!

[oberliner]

3. "Where are the people yelling at each other on split screen shots?"

Have you seen what happens when they have Israeli spokespeople on?

[hatrack]

4. Couldn't agree more - terribly short on blond spokesanchormodels

[tanyev]

5. No chit-chat about the latest Kardashian antics?

[malthaussen]

6. Give them time.

They will adjust. They have to make ratings, you know.

-- Mal

[progressoid]

7. And it's name is all wrong.

It should be a three or four letter acronym.

[aggiesal]

44. AJN n/t

[progressoid]

49. The American Journal of Nursing?

Sorry, I have a friend who is a nurse.

[OnlinePoker]

82. For cool factor they should just shorten the name...too many syllables

El Jazz anyone?

[nxylas]

101. And it's in Terrorist

What's wrong with an AMERICAN name, goddammit?

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Wish I could get Al Jazeera on my cable.

[Flatulo]

9. Get a Roku media streamer. AJ is a free channel.

[Javaman]

15. Thanks,I didn't know that! :) nt

[Ed Suspicious]

36. Doesn't seem to allow playback on Roku in the US.

[totodeinhere]

51. Yes, they pulled support for Roku streaming when AJ America went on the air.

You could probably continue to watch Al Jazeera English which is separate from AJ America by going through a proxy server.

[MADem]

12. Watch it on the internet. nt

[Xithras]

33. No can do. One of the reasons I'm boycotting AJA. No more Internet stream.

When they switched on the TV feed, they blocked the Internet simulcast and shut down American access to their Youtube content. Tons of people have been complaining about it on their Facebook page (most of the comments are simply deleted), and they're lamely defending it as a way to protect their "cable partners".

No more AJ for me until they mend their ways.

[MADem]

34. Yes you can--download HOLA unblocker and watch away. You get the Euro feed, it's better, anyway. nt

[totodeinhere]

53. Thanks for the tip. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

107. AJA had to block the online version to appease cable companies.

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/221683/al-jazeera-america-launches-what-you-need-to-know/

• You won’t be able to watch online: Al Jazeera America had to agree to block U.S. viewers from its online streams to appease cable companies, Stelter wrote. It will feature about six minutes of commercials per hour.

[Soylent Brice]

10. ...

[zeemike]

11. Don't worry, it won't be long

One of the big 4 will buy them out and make them into a real newscast just like the rest.

[Duval]

13. During the Bush years, Al

Jazeera was the site I turned to for Honest Info! Our media supported Bush/Cheney gang. Remember? But, since I haven't watched Al Jazeera America, I really don't know enough about it.

[dembotoz]

14. sampled the network a few times thruout the day with my internet connection

quite frankly i was impressed

[yellowwoodII]

16. Refreshing!

But will I be able to get my favorite pharmaceutical ads?

[Blanks]

67. That's right.

...and if the news isn't sponsored by GE, Shell, BP (aren't they doing a wondrful job in the gulf) and the Fracking industry - can the news really be trusted?

[Scootaloo]

17. Just don't believe anything they say about Qatar and you'll be fine!

[heaven05]

18. I

truly hope al jazeera shows what sold out corporate shills our news media has become. Now 47% will never know or want to know yet hopefully the 'enlightened' people of america will finally call all our media on their bullshit. That's MSNBC, NPR, FAUX, CNN, NYT, WaPo, Huffpost, ALL!!!!

[Dash87]

19. They're reporting facts? Wtf!

I want to hear news from two uninformed morons screaming at eachother until they both agree that America is the only country in the world that matters and Obama is a Muslim.

[Iggo]

20. Is it on FIOS?

[justiceischeap]

23. It is in my neck of the woods. nt

[SwankyXomb]

27. Yes. They tried to hide it up in the international channels.

It's 1750 on my system.

[Iggo]

39. Thanks.

[dorkzilla]

105. I have it on the old Current channel

So in my area it's 114, right in with the other news channels.

I'm so chuffed...it's refreshing to watch a REAL news network.

[IronLionZion]

109. 114 on Prime HD plans and up, not select

[Demonaut]

21. it just needs a bubbleheaded bleach blond with nice legs..now THAT'S news!

Old Walter Cronkite in a skirt might work


do you just watch Fox?

[Botany]

22. They gotta be better then CNN's morning show

I have seen about a total of 5 minutes of this crap and it is the worst thing ever that is
not on Fox. The forced chit chat is just awful. Soledad O'brien was so much better.

BTW Al Jazeera had the best reporting on Egypt and Libya in the last few years.

[Dustlawyer]

24. I am sure that watching Al Jazeera on the internets

will cause the NSA to grab all of your shit!

[blackspade]

25. I might give it a shot.

I'm still pissed that they got rid of TYT and the rest of the evening line-up.

[mountain grammy]

31. I'm hopeful they'll return. It's 24 hour news..

We've been watching Al Jazeera for years. The Current programs will fit with them. I'm mourning the loss of Steph Miller, but can still listen to her on the radio. Cenk will end up somewhere, he's just too good not to.

[blackspade]

48. I miss both Miller and Press

They should have been given shows as well.

[AsahinaKimi]

26. You will never see FOX NEWS...

quoting Al Jazeera.... that TERRORIST NETWORK!!

[cascadiance]

61. But, but... FOX News used to have a MONOPOLY on Middle eastern owned networks!!!

They are owned by Saudis, and now those Saudis must be mad that another Middle Eastern player gets to compete against their interests here in the states!

[KurtNYC]

28. Yep. They need coffee mugs and couches.

And maybe work in some cooking segments with Rachel Ray.

[JesterCS]

29. i came to this thread

with a flamethrower.... I was fooled =( lol

[snappyturtle]

66. Me too! Pleasantly surprised. nt

[LittleBlue]

30. Brilliant

[Fozzledick]

32. Al Jazeera America Debuts with Israel-Bashing Professor

Al Jazeera America launched less than 24 hours ago, and the network’s first guest validated a good deal of its critics’ concerns: The network welcomed Harvard professor Stephen Walt, co-author of a book arguing that American foreign policy is run by the “Israel Lobby,” to discuss the uprisings unfolding in Egypt.

In 2007, Walt and University of Chicago’s John Mearsheimer penned The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, which focused on the so-called “lobby’s influence on U.S. foreign policy and its negative effect on American interests.” The book received widespread criticism from scholars, journalists, and current and former American diplomats, with some labeling it anti-Semitic​. Former secretary of state Madeleine Albright called the book’s claims “highly overstated and a genuine problem,” while a fellow Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz described it as a “hate-filled screed against Jewish participation in American politics.”

In his interview with Al Jazeera America yesterday, Walt harkened to the book’s thesis by arguing that the “main reason” the U.S. was even involved in the conflict is the maintenance of the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, which he said was “not vital” to the U.S. “What happens there is not likely to affect Americans’ strategic interests in any fundamental way,” he explained.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/356340/al-jazeera-america-debuts-israel-bashing-professor-andrew-johnson

Looks like they're off to a good start!

[kelliekat44]

55. Knew it was coming before long. nt

[1-Old-Man]

62. Anyone who doesn't praise Israel is accused bashing it as far as I can see.

I think this world would be far better off if we let Israel sink or swim on its own - and stop providing it with absurd foreign aid.

[tazkcmo]

72. Israel is above criticism

No matter what it might be.
"I was in Tel Aviv last week and I had the worse omelet in my life at my hotel."

"Anti-Semite!"

[emsimon33]

80. Agree!

[bravenak]

85. Good job.

I knew somebody had to go there.

[Arcanetrance]

86. Why is it every criticism of Israel and how we deal with them gets called anti semitic

We aren't hard on Israel and that's a fact and sometimes we need to be as a half Jewish person I don't see that as a problem

[stevenleser]

88. Regardless of which side he's on, I thought Al Jazeera America would not have opinions and would be

straight news. Doesn't look like they are holding true to that.

[sabrina 1]

96. Al Jazeera has always had excellent discussion programs since their inception. Very high

quality, intelligent, with all sides represented. Unlike here where the news is censored and Americans do not get both sides of stories relating to the I/P conflict eg, or anything negative about Saudi Arabia, or what is going on in Bahrain right now, which is horrendous.

Which is why most people I know don't bother with American 'news', it is way too biased, not just Fox, all of it.

I prefer Al Jazeera, RT, and now we have a new foreign news outlet which is also excellent, Chinese English news. They have excellent documentaries, as do Al Jazeera and RT. And news from all over the world. Very little bias on general news. And some interesting documentaries.

I watched the morning 'news' on ABC last week just to see what they were talking about. I saw 20 minutes of how ' a great new product to scoop peanut out of the jar was with 'news' anchors all getting a chance to experiment with it. Then I switched to RT and saw news from around the world.

We live in a bubble here which is intentional.

I hope we get more foreign news channels because there is nothing worth watching on the Corporate Media, it is all fluff and thoroughly boring.

[LeftyMom]

97. The National Review is for crotchety old wingnuts,

why on earth are you citing it? Or secondhand citing a toolbox like Alan Dershowitz?

[Quantess]

35. The dialogue on DU has reached a point where sarcasm and irony

are the most effective means of communication. That is sad.

A reluctant K & R from me.

[Enthusiast]

38. Can't even get Al Jazeera on Time Warner cable.

Imagine that. Assholes.

[cascadiance]

60. And many places can't get CBS now on Time Warner too... Time to DROP those FUCKERS!!!

and switch to satellite like Dish Network and get your CBS content, Al Jazeera content, RT, FSTV, and LINK TV and get far more of what you want than those corporate assholes want to sell you.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/business/media/time-warner-cbs.html?_r=0

[Enthusiast]

74. We are very close to switching back to Dish......nt

[emsimon33]

81. We are very happy with Dish! I hated Time Warner

[Stainless]

40. Watched launch yesterday and stayed tuned most of the day!

This morning they showed video of chemical weapons attack on Syrian citizens while the rest of the lame stream media was showing inane drivel, happy talk and other typical BS. AJAM will be my "go to" news source from now on.

[L0oniX]

41. If it doesn't have an x-stripper hosting the news ...it ain't news. n/t

[Lint Head]

42. Where are the glossy lipstick, short skirts and legs? They don't even allow misogyny.

[srican69]

43. Al Jazeera, Al Gore, Al Qaeda ....

Are you beginning to see the pattern there ??

[JNelson6563]

63. Call me Al?

[stonecutter357]

45. K&R

[Jesus Malverde]

46. It's interesting the AJ only came to America after they repealed the Smith-Mundt Act

The channel was set up by frenchmen, at the behest of the Quatar government. The Quatariis are our stooges in the persian gulf and home to our fifth fleet.

AJ has been called out time and time again for just making up stories about Syria.

Those that praise AJ as a news source, are simply sick of eating the same flavored propaganda sausage. This new propaganda seems refreshing with it's new exotic flavor and "perspectives".

Eat enough AJ and you'll notice it has all the same main ingredients used to make the American propaganda sausage. With AJ they they added some exotic spices to meet the needs of the target demographic.

Whose aims it serves are many....One thing I know, it's not you.

[PorridgeGun]

104. Been using them for years and I disagree.

Those that praise AJ as a news source, are simply sick of eating the same flavored propaganda sausage. This new propaganda seems refreshing with it's new exotic flavor and "perspectives".

I've lived in the US, Canada, UK and continental Europe and AJ English has been my "go to" website for international news for years. Just this morning I was reading a story on AJ about girls being taken from the UK to enter into forced marriages at this time of year. Its obviously a sensitive issue was considerably more informative than the blurbs I've seen elsewhere.

I also find that their debate/comment sections tend to be more tolerant of very controversial opinions, even when they are directly critical of Islam and middle eastern culture, than a lot of our domestic media. You can post things on AJ that would get "moderated" on the Daily Mail, BBC, Guardian websites for fear of running afoul of our incredibly precious "incitement" or libel laws.

[Jesus Malverde]

108. AJ's sacred cows

The despotic monarchies of Bahrain, Saudi, and of course Quatar.

Globalization, banking, opec, free trade, etc

At the core the ingredients are the same, with a dash of bias towards sunni islam and against Israel.

[aggiesal]

47. Al Jazeera has a big house . . .

shamefully taken from the Stephanie Miller Show.

[Rebellious Republican]

52. That's because "Enquiring" minds need to know!

[Sunlei]

54. Real journalists reporting news. 'Opinion' clearly seperated & marked as opinion.

The arm of the republican party, fox lies and their 10,000 blogger email spammers must hate them.

[Fawke Em]

56. And here I was prepared to hand you your butt.

Good job of pointing out how broken American media is, now.

[SkyDaddy7]

70. How does "Handing one their butt" actually work?

[dsharp88]

58. AT&T U-verse customers are cheated. Email Allison Murray [e-mail] to complain.

Last edited Wed Aug 21, 2013, 03:41 PM - Edit history (1)

AT&T U-verse advertised AJAM to its customers, but has bowed out of its agreement. AlJazeera is now suing AT&T for breach of contract. Email Allison Murray [e-mail] to complain about AT&T U-verse backing out of the deal to show AJAM.

[Bigmack]

59. AJ doesn't stand a chance in this market....

Murikans want their "news" like they want their fast "food".... bland.

[cascadiance]

64. At least they kept on one of the Young Turks at AJ (Hermela Aregawi)

Hermela Aregawi is now on AJ's Consider This...

[bemildred]

65. Who is Al Jazeera anyway? Is he a newscaster? nt

[rhett o rick]

73. You've never heard of Big Al? nm

[DissidentVoice]

68. I already miss Current TV n/t

[tiredtoo]

69. Watched it a bit yesterday and this morning.

Found it both refreshing and interesting. Blogged with my opinion. Basically the network has potential to open up a lot of eyes if only they will watch a bit.

[mehrrh]

75. Al Jazeera

Right. AJ is not "news" as we have become accustomed to seeing -- it is actually reporting news without hyperbole, without split screens of people shouting at one another, resolving nothing.
It actually informs the viewer.
What a "retro" approach -- it's what news used to be before the corruption of the 70's and 80's.

[Doctor_J]

76. Same thing with DN

Amy and Juan are very average-looking, and Amy has yet to do a segment with her cleavage showing. And for Chrissakes, there aren't even any commercials. Communist if ever there was one!

[hrmjustin]

77. I wish Time warner would sign them up.

[Rex]

78. Neither is propaganda.

nt.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

79. Owing to being ill I watched off and on for 12 hours yesterday and was really disappointed.

They didn't do proper research for American consumer habits. Packaging matters, and it all seems like it's coming from another planet with voices apparently disembodied. Not much they can do about a lot of this, but it could hurt them in the marketplace.

Given the preview and all of the capabilities they have for a variety of reporting, I saw three stories only. Egypt, Bangladesh and Global Warming. And the Global Warming segment seemed like it might have been part of the Gore deal. The spokespeople were very inarticulate, which didn't surprise me because the money behind Al Jazzeera is oil money via the Qatar government. It was absolutely dreadful. How does this help address the crisis of climate change?

I guarantee most Americans won't watch. Re: Bangladesh, cheap clothing is all that matters to most American consumers. Some who'll tune in will be turned off. And who knows what the remaining viewers will come away with . . .

Sorry. I'm bummed.

[NightWatcher]

83. I watched about an hour and saw stories from around the world

Flooding here, war there, corruption everywhere.... It was nice to see actual news instead of fluff or pulp. I didn't watch for long, but it was for much longer than I can stomach CNN and msnbc.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

84. I'll admit I'm seeing more stories today. But still get the same feeling about

the "bots" anchoring. Tony Harris? Stephen Colbert took him on when at CNN:

"After Harris criticized NASA for naming the new space station treadmill after comedian Stephen Colbert, Colbert responded on September 30, 2009 by naming his in-studio toilet the H.A.R.R.I.S. (Human Ass Receiving Receptacle In Studio)

nuff said.

[defacto7]

87. I've been reading their site for 2 years.

The haven't disappointed though I have on a couple of occasions had a double take. But they were pretty spot on.

[7962]

89. I admit it, I would watch Robin Meade (HLN) mop a floor.

Or any other mindless task. I'm sorry. I can only resist so much. I know it has NOTHING to do with the news, but to me thats the best looking woman on TV and has been for years.
Carry on with important stuff now........

[School Teacher]

90. Hey Sleepless, The Second Day of AlJazeera Was Much Better

If you watched Aljazeera on Aug 20, it was quite repetitive with little news. I was disappointed yesterday too. But today we have a lot of news and news stories and classic AlJazeera reporters, newscasters and all the great stuff they had on their international website. Try it again and enjoy. I hope it makes a real difference here. This is television for adults.

[DeSwiss]

91. Hehehehehe.....

[Cha]

92. I was coming on to say.. "wanna bet?"

Good OP, NW

[lunasun]

93. I am sad they took this off public TV

it was my news source

[tavalon]

94. I know you're joking, but Al Jazeera has been one of my go to news sources for some time.

They get journalism.

[BillyRibs]

95. I Beg to differ!

Your Goddamned right it's news! It's got all MSM in the Us Frightened. As they should be.

[annm4peace]

98. Been watching Al Jazeera since 2002

online that is.. and the 1 hour on Free Speech or Link TV..

it was one way I could see what was happening in America or by America.

So glad they will show some real news.

[AmyStrange]

99. I don't see how you can say that...

-

when did "Al Jazeera" stop being news? It's everywhere, especially lately for some reason.

ha

-

[AmyStrange]

100. They should sign up Rush n/t

[Douglas Carpenter]

102. knr

[PorridgeGun]

103. I've been using their site for international news for years

If there is a more content rich and comprehensive site for international news I've yet to come across it.

They're a great supplement to the likes of the BBC & The Guardian (am in the UK for the time being).. often functioning as a counterbalance or providing perspectives you just can't get from people inside the domestic news bubble.

[another_liberal]

106. Try the text version . . .

It's available too:

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/8/21/nsa-collected-tensofthousandsofuscommunications.html