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Al Jazeera English …. how is it being received by the world?

November 30th, 2006 Zeid Nasser (Admin)

AlJazeera English

The opening broadcast of Al Jazeera English was seen in 80 million households around the world and featured a clip introducing the channel.

How is Al Jazeera English being received by regional and international commentators and media organizations?

The Guardian’s Middle East editor said that “In contrast to CNN International’s appeal to globe-trotting business executives, Al-Jazeera English has a grassroots feel, oriented toward ordinary people in the non-Western world.”

There are also some familiar faces.

Former CNN International anchor-host Riz Khan will have an interactive-interview program on the new channel.

Veteran British TV interviewer Sir David Frost is the new channel’s biggest name. With a weirdly titled talk show, “Frost Over the World,” David Frost claims that prior to taking this job he “checked with the governments of the U.S. and Britain to be sure there were no links between Al-Jazeera and the terrorist organization al-Qaeda.”

Well, that’s comforting!

A political commentator from Gulf Research Center told the Gulf News that “The decision to launch an international, English-language news service, he noted, reflects Qatar’s desire to reinforce its regional role.”

Obviously, this channel is causing quite a stir. Stay tuned!

And read various views from commentators here.

Via [ mediaME ]

Entry Filed under: Qatar, Regional, TV & Film