A new Al Jazeera
Some WCMC-Q students, professors, and TAs recently visited Al Jazeera English Television Station. It opened in November of 2006, and it appears to be off to a good start. Across from the original Arabic language Al Jazeera in a guarded compound near what is known as "TV" roundabout (hmmmm...where does that name come from), stands the brand new, state-of-the-art studio for Al Jazeera English.
Greeted by a representative of HR, we proceeded on our tour. Our guide did her job - telling us of Al Jazeera's mission, explaining how it was different from Arabic Al Jazeera, and expressing pride and satisfaction with her employer. Some in our group were, how shall I put it????.... Obnoxious. I felt the guide did a good job fielding their unfair and biased questions, and I hope the few did not leave a negative impression of the rest of Cornell and WCMC-Q
Anyhow, it was overall a good experience. I feel that the mission of Al Jazeera English - to be an unbiased newsource for the Middle East and eventually the world, although not yet perfect, is noble. What I find especially refreshing is that their homepage has headlines focusing on important events from around the world in an effort to inform and educate rather than entice and entertain.
For example, I'll give some "breaking news" headlines from different websites this week.
Al Jazeera English:
"US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran."
"Japan Quake triggers small tsunami"
"Hong Kong Tsang wins elections"
CNN:
"Woman guilty of killing boyfriend with antifreeze"
"Alice Cooper Judges Jailhouse rock stars"
"Anna Nicole Smith Diaries go fetch $512,500"
FOX:
Nintento "Wii catches on at Retirement Homes"
"Murdered Co-ed's body burned"
I don't think I need to comment further.
A link to the website:
http://english.aljazeera.net/English
And to their statement of ethics:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4B3ABFB8-9082-4B05-B399-7BF68D4A39D6.htm
Some shots from around the station
The Newsroom
A Picture of Doha Skyline on the largest NewsScreen in the World!
The set-up Chris Jones wants to have for his.......um....future work.
The TAs last year went to Al Jazeera Arabic because one of the TAs made it on the news while being interviewed about co-education in Doha. We all benefited from her fame.
Greeted by a representative of HR, we proceeded on our tour. Our guide did her job - telling us of Al Jazeera's mission, explaining how it was different from Arabic Al Jazeera, and expressing pride and satisfaction with her employer. Some in our group were, how shall I put it????.... Obnoxious. I felt the guide did a good job fielding their unfair and biased questions, and I hope the few did not leave a negative impression of the rest of Cornell and WCMC-Q
Anyhow, it was overall a good experience. I feel that the mission of Al Jazeera English - to be an unbiased newsource for the Middle East and eventually the world, although not yet perfect, is noble. What I find especially refreshing is that their homepage has headlines focusing on important events from around the world in an effort to inform and educate rather than entice and entertain.
For example, I'll give some "breaking news" headlines from different websites this week.
Al Jazeera English:
"US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran."
"Japan Quake triggers small tsunami"
"Hong Kong Tsang wins elections"
CNN:
"Woman guilty of killing boyfriend with antifreeze"
"Alice Cooper Judges Jailhouse rock stars"
"Anna Nicole Smith Diaries go fetch $512,500"
FOX:
Nintento "Wii catches on at Retirement Homes"
"Murdered Co-ed's body burned"
I don't think I need to comment further.
A link to the website:
http://english.aljazeera.net/English
And to their statement of ethics:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4B3ABFB8-9082-4B05-B399-7BF68D4A39D6.htm
Some shots from around the station
The Newsroom
A Picture of Doha Skyline on the largest NewsScreen in the World!
The set-up Chris Jones wants to have for his.......um....future work.
The TAs last year went to Al Jazeera Arabic because one of the TAs made it on the news while being interviewed about co-education in Doha. We all benefited from her fame.
posted by sumforme at 12:40 PM
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