Demand Al Jazeera in the US

There's no need to demand AJE in the US, because AJE is handling new media intelligently and is widely available. I can watch AJE on my PS3, computer, or even my iPhone. They're one of the few networks in the world that supports free and unlimited streaming options to all.

I don't know about this, Al Jazeera still does competent boots on the ground reporting. I'm pretty sure I want my newsmen to read me other people's twitter posts and narrate YouTube videos.<p>Their business model of "investigating" and "journalistic integrity" has no place in the American market.

If you really "demand" it, it's widely available...just not through your typical cable company.<p>I get AJE plus a bevy of other Arabic channels with Dish Network's Arabic Package[1], as well as via a settop box from Islambox[2] (not the best quality streaming imo, but ymmv).<p>There's pretty clear instructions on how to get a crystal-sharp image for really cheap via satellite[3] from AJE themselves.<p>If you do go the roll-your-own satellite route, you'll probably be surprised to find <i>tons</i> of other awesome news and entertainment channels floating out there in the ether for free, all at virtually no cost other than initial setup, and at hi-def quality.<p>[1]: <a href="http://www.dishnetwork.com/international/Arabic/default.aspx?Region=middleeast&#38;lang=Arabic" rel="nofollow">http://www.dishnetwork.com/international/Arabic/default.aspx...</a><p>[2]: <a href="http://www.islambox.tv/tv-channels" rel="nofollow">http://www.islambox.tv/tv-channels</a><p>[3]: <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/aboutus/2006/11/200852518552950317.html" rel="nofollow">http://english.aljazeera.net/aboutus/2006/11/200852518552950...</a>

I didn't get the sense that Al Jazeera was an unbiased news source after reading David Marash's interview in the Columbia Journalism Review [1]. All news sources have bias, but the way that Al Jazeera is being upheld as a beacon of truth and light is a little disingenuous. I admit my own bias against them for acting as the mouthpiece of bin Laden by airing his tapes. I know there are those that feel this is a journalistic responsibility, but, then again, I don't think the New York Times should have published the Unabomber's letter either.<p>[1]<a href="http://www.cjr.org/the_water_cooler/dave_marash_why_i_quit.php?page=all" rel="nofollow">http://www.cjr.org/the_water_cooler/dave_marash_why_i_quit.p...</a>

I learned more about the relevant participants in Egypt from watching Al Jazeera on the net for 15 minutes than from weeks of US coverage.<p>How is the coverage of Japan though? The BBC is still my favorite for international events.

I'm not sure there's any hope of that happening. If a company tried to offer it even at a premium I'm sure it would turn into an issue of "Comcast/DirecTV is siding with the terrorists!"

I moved to asian from canada last summer, and the presence of Al Jazeera was a little weird at first. It'll be up on TV, or people will be reading it on their computers, you get over seeing it about the 3rd time.<p>My limited experience is that its pretty average news. I find the BBC (or the CBC in Canada) to be considerably better with respect to seeming unbiased.. Al Jazeera kinda feels CNN-ish. I'm curious if anyone with more exposure feels the same? Also, CNN is still king for truly up to the minute breaking news.<p>I certainly think having a counter balance to Fox and CNN's right of center, wouldn't hurt, and I think people should be allowed to watch what they want. However, I'd be more inclined to petition to US government to mandate the BBC be broadcast for free.

Rather than demand this network, we should all demand the fixing of the dozen news networks here in the US.

I demand à la carte cable/satellite pricing!

We can't have diversity in our media options, that would be too informative!

Demand is too strong of a word here. America is the land of free thinking and tolerance. People here, for the most part, appreciate and respect the differences in opinions. If Al Jazeera wants to establish presence here, no one would tell them to get out. In reality, this would be the best place for any news organization.

I have no idea how but I am somehow catching them with my puny little 10$ indoor antenna. I think some station in Fairfax, VA is broadcasting them along with NHK (Japanese), Russia Today, DW, and may be a Chinese language channel.

I have absolutely no interest in seeing Al Jazeera in the US. We're already got the New York Times, MSNBC and CNN handling the Hamas/Hezbollah perspective on foreign affairs.

Why? We don't need news on TV anymore. Let it die.

I see no reason to demand another 24hour news channel when the 30min nightly national news broadcasts do just fine, along with the internet and npr to spice things up.

When I want to know what's <i>really</i> going on in the world, I don't watch the government-influenced, corporate-financed mainstream western media. I tune into the Emir of Qatar's station, where centuries old traditions of democracy and independent journalism reporting produce quality, objective reporting.<p>Incredible how gullible most people are. You just need to up the sophistication by a notch to have them eating out of your hand.