"Tough reception for Al-Jazeera bid in Canada"

Fri, 2009-04-03 21:04

al-Qa'bong

When al-Jazeera's last attempt to broadcast in Canada was refused, the CBC radio news item on the subject mentioned how it was hoped that this move would satisfy Bnai Brith.

Sat, 2009-04-04 00:03

#3

RevolutionPlease RevolutionPlease's picture

Anyone know if I could get it on FTA? Doesn't the US also allow this channel? I read earlier that the bid was supposed to be good. Stupid Star.

Sat, 2009-04-11 08:13

#4

cubicalgangster

http://english.aljazeera.net/

You know, there is always another way to access it, just start the market before the product. Al Jazeera can be blocked out of this country via cable or radio but there is always the internet, and B'nai Brith can whine and biatch about that all they want. Sure it's not necessarily fair, but if you start spreading it around it will make its way here eventually.

Sat, 2009-04-11 17:43

#5

Webgear

I enjoy watching and reading Al Jazeera reports and articles. I wish they could broadcast into Canada.

I find the quality of reporting to be more accurate than the CBC or CTV.

Sat, 2009-04-11 22:25

#6

N.Beltov

Al-Jazeera, unlike most western networks (including Canada's CBC, CTV, Global, etc.), showed the courage to thumb their nose at the Israeli blockade/ban of foreign journalists in Gaza during the recent bombing campaign and won the respect of media around the world.

Top global media praise al-jazeera

The remarks note that Canadian Tony Burman, a former editor at the CBC, was brought in to turn things around. The many comments praising the network are worth reading...

Sat, 2009-04-11 22:34

#7

martin dufresne

Maybe we could qote and hyperlink this news feed as often as possible when we post on blogs and forums.

For instance this on Obama's ratcheting up "Defence" spending:

Obama seeks $83bn more for US wars

Barack Obama is set to send thousands more
US troops to Afghanistan [AFP]

The US president has asked congress for $83.4bn for military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Barack Obama said 95 per cent of the money he was requesting would go to support US military operations in Iraq and the effort to defeat al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"The Taliban is resurgent and al-Qaeda threatens America from its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border," Obama told Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, in a letter released by the White House.

The special measure also includes $3.6bn for the Afghanistan National Army.

Obama seeks $83bn more for US wars

Obama is also requesting $350m in new funding to increase security along the US-Mexico border and to combat drug gangs, and another $400m in counter-insurgency aid to Pakistan.

The US president's request, which includes money to send thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan, would push the cost of the two wars to almost $1 trillion since the September 11, 2001 attacks against the US, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Sat, 2009-04-11 22:45

#8

CMOT Dibbler

I've watched Al jazeera's English language service(Youtube is so cool!) and their is nothing Anti semitic about it. It's pro Palestinian and favors the Israeli peace camp. No wonder the CJC is upset.

Sun, 2009-04-12 19:06

#9

Rexdale_Punjabi Rexdale_Punjabi's picture

CBC, CTV and all those other networks can never report on issues in most 3rd world countries the way al jazeera can because al jazeera aint foreign in those countries it ppl from there reporting that they banned. The biggest enemy of tyranny is truth forget who said it but it the truth

Tue, 2009-04-14 14:19

#10

Sarann

I watch Al Jazeera on line. Not as comfy as in my easy chair but still I can see it. Good world news!

Tue, 2009-04-14 22:27

#11

al-Qa'bong

Avi Lewis is an antisemite

Wed, 2009-04-15 01:28

#12

N.Beltov

Just identifying the Israel lobby makes a person an antisemite. Everyone knows that.

Fri, 2009-04-17 10:56

#13

Joel_Goldenberg

From what I just saw on the video, and from what I've been reading here on Babble in the last few days, looks like Ziad Asali of the American Task Force for Palestine is the anti-Semite, as he equates Jews with Israel. While everybody else in the video refers to the Israel lobby, he refers to the "Jewish lobby."

Fri, 2009-04-17 11:05

#14

Cueball

You forgot to mention the so called "grand" Mufti of Jerusalem. You are slipping Joel.

Fri, 2009-04-17 12:47

#15

Joel_Goldenberg

So-called? You mean he was the Grand Poobah? I take it all back!

Sat, 2009-04-25 17:07

#16

al-Qa'bong

Joel_Goldenberg wrote:

From what I just saw on the video, and from what I've been reading here on Babble in the last few days, looks like Ziad Asali of the American Task Force for Palestine is the anti-Semite, as he equates Jews with Israel. While everybody else in the video refers to the Israel lobby, he refers to the "Jewish lobby."

I suppose that one could be confused by all those Jews living in Israel and hearing commonplace references to "The Jewish State." Then again, Mr. Goldenberg, you may be correct in identifying anyone critical of Israel, especilly an Arab, as antsemitic, as this practice is commonplace as well.

Fri, 2009-05-01 11:09

#17

al-Qa'bong

Last night, during a bit he did on swine flu, Jon Stewart referred to Israelis as "The Jews."

That must make him an antisemite too. It's time to shut down The Daily Show and The Comedy Network.

Fri, 2009-05-01 11:26

#18

No Yards

If you are into FTA satellite you can already get A Jazeera ... you'll need a 39" dish (and a motor if you want to try viewing different satellites) and an FA receiver ... just point at 97w satellite and one of the free feeds is Al Jazeera. (With a motor and a good FTA receiver you can also get what's known as "Feeds" .. these are the live remote feeds used by the networks ... you get to see all the live action, including before and after the parts the networks show you, which can be very interesting.)

Also, google "miro" and get the miro player (a mixture of a video player and bittorrent downloader) that has all kinds of free and legal video sources, including Al Jazeera play lists ... but it also has many interesting documentaries well worth viewing.

Thu, 2009-05-28 16:44

#19

Vegan Challenge Vegan Challenge's picture

Hi everyone,

We want Al Jazeera English!

Al Jazeera English is being considered for airing in Canada by the CRTC, Canada’s broadcast regulator. Tell the CRTC to give its approval to list AJE as an “eligible” service so that Canadian cable and satellite companies can carry it.

The CRTC has begun a 30-day consultation period when Canadians are being asked whether AJE should be allowed in Canada. Comments must be received by the CRTC no later than June 8, 2009

Tell the CRTC that you want to see Al Jazeera English in Canada.

TAKE ACTION: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/al_jazeera

Also, for more info please visit

http://democraticmedia.ca/aljazeera

Thu, 2009-05-28 18:54

#20

High Anxiety

Just go to their website and get it for free.

Mon, 2009-06-01 16:22

#21

contrarianna

High Anxiety wrote:

Just go to their website and get it for free.

The implication being that unjustifiable CRTC censorship of the prime means of TV distribution is OK as long as one can watch a tiny blurry image, or subscribe to it online? I don't think so.

Fri, 2009-06-05 21:15

#22

vaudree

al-Qu'Bong - Avi Lewis's peice on neo Nazis was better - and you even see him talking and hanging around with them.

Inside USA - Rise of Hate

I wonder what JUDES has been up to lately - Oh yes, JUDES is going to be the keynote speaker for the Independent Jewish Voices (Canada) - along with Rachael Corrie's parents. Wasn't Rachael Corrie the Pat Benetar fan? I wonder if JUDES will bring Al-Jazeera up?

Thu, 2009-07-02 13:55

#23

Lard Tunderin Jeezus Lard Tunderin Jeezus's picture

The Star (www.thestar.com) has an online poll today on whether Al Jazeera should be allowed in Canada. We all know it is bound to be freeped - but let's see what we can do to limit the damage, eh?

Thu, 2009-07-02 17:00

#24

contrarianna

Lard Tunderin Jeezus wrote:

The Star (www.thestar.com) has an online poll today on whether Al Jazeera should be allowed in Canada. We all know it is bound to be freeped - but let's see what we can do to limit the damage, eh?

The freep is already in.

But notice also the wording of the poll.

It's not: "Do you believe Al Jazeera English should be given a license to broadcast in Canada? "

but instead the ambiguous:

"Do you think the Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera should be given a license to broadcast in Canada? "

And since problems were only alleged for the "Qatar-based" Arabic version of the network, (and this license request is only for Al Jazeera English) the poll is misleading--as well as milking every last racist respondent.

Thu, 2009-07-02 17:33

#25

miles

my only complaint is that if AJE does get their licesne how much will i have to pay bell or rogers for the right to watch the channel

my cable bill is already so high that mrs. miles just wants to throw out my hd tv hd box and wait for it my pvr

the inhumanity of it all.

:-)

Thu, 2009-07-02 17:40

#26

Stargazer

Yeah I've done mine LTJ. It is definitely being freeped.

Miles, consider that you are probably already paying for Fox News (I point I brought up in the Star's comments section). I wanted that station to be removed form my stations but guess what? It can't be removed. I am stuck with that hateful channel and I am paying to fund it! I would gladly pay for AJ instead if we actually had a choice.

It boggles my mind how people are okay with Fox but freaked out by Al Jezeera (not aiming that at you miles, just in general)

Thu, 2009-07-02 17:44

#27

Papal Bull

I really, really like the Frost interviews that they have!

Thu, 2009-07-02 17:50

#28

miles

actually stargazer although fox is part of the package i asked them to not free the signal. they have kept it off my tv. i wont allow that crap in my house. so they gave me the golf channel instead....then i got it for free as part of hd

Rogers can actually take one station out of the package but the call centre people do not know how to do it. i had a problem and a rogers tech at my house joked that it is easy to do

Thu, 2009-07-02 17:50

#29

Stargazer

What?? I can do that now? Last time I called them (which was when I switched to bell) they said I wouldn't be able to. Now I can get them to take it off!! Woot! happy day.

Thanks miles.

Thu, 2009-07-02 17:52

#30

miles

NP -- I had the tech guy at my house call someone to do something.

as I said i could not do it by calling the rogers call centre.

Thu, 2009-07-02 18:02

#31

Stargazer

Bloody hell, I just got off the phone with Bell and they told me that Fox News is a part of the "basic programming option" and that I cannot remove it!!

Two things: why is Fox news considered a part of "basic programming" and why am I not allowed to get rid of it? I am pissed. I feel like I am in Orwell's 1984.

Fri, 2009-07-03 03:08

#32

NDPP

'Al Jazeera gaining favour in Canada'

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/659527

"Bernie Farber, head of the CJC, said Burman alleviated some of its fears when he proposed a consultation committee made up of the CJC and B'nai Brith Canada, to serve as a conduit for immediate complaints.."

Gross!

Fri, 2009-07-03 07:19

#33

Jaku

Gross? Sounds pretty savy of Burman.

Fri, 2009-07-03 07:46

#34

Stargazer

No it sounds like whatever the CJC and BB object to will be censored. It is gross and undemocratic. Who gave these people the option to be the voice of the Canadian people, or Jewish people for that matter?

Funny how these two have no issue whatsoever with media bias as it is currently - very pro-Israel - but want to be our watchdogs on what is deemed acceptable. A "conduit for complaints"? And then they have the power to do what? Determine if and what news is anti-Israel? Determine if that news should be censored.

These two organizations have no right to determine jack shit fort me, or anyone else. Turn the channel if you don't like it. You would think they would be far more concerned about Fox News and that station's hate speech but no, let's silence any Arab voices we can. After all there isn't enough pro-Israel bias in the media. We definitely need more!

Fri, 2009-07-03 09:53

#35

ezstein

thats a little ridiculous to me. free press doesn't mean 'free press once bernie farber has had its say', it means free press. period.

Fri, 2009-07-03 10:01

#36

Winnifred

This is all very tolerant of you. Jewish groups actually are aloud to express an opinion are they not?

Fri, 2009-07-03 10:09

#37

ennir

Winnifred wrote:

This is all very tolerant of you. Jewish groups actually are aloud to express an opinion are they not?

LOL

Thanks for the link to the Avi Lewis piece, it was very interesting. Sorry, I don't remember who. I then followed the link to one on private cities, also very interesting, definitely the kind of news I am interested in.

Fri, 2009-07-03 10:29

#38

Stargazer

Oh, they're "just expressing an opinion"? Do they speak for you Winnifred? Are you capable of seeing any wrongs whatsoever with these groups? None?

Fri, 2009-07-03 10:57

#39

oldgoat

I do believe in freedom of speech. I want to be a committee to be a conduit for immediate complaints too! After all, I have a conciet that I speak for the entire left in Canada. Stargazer can be on it too if she likes.

Fri, 2009-07-03 11:00

#40

Winnifred

I understood this consultation committee came as a recommendation from Al Jazeera.

Fri, 2009-07-03 11:26

#41

remind

The BB and CJC are going well beyond expressing an opinion here, winnifred, moreover your comments and theirs indicate a sense of privilege and gall, that go well beyond the acceptable threshhold.

Fri, 2009-07-03 11:47

#42

Stargazer

OGS (OldgoatStargazer) Committee to Review Complaints That Really Piss Us Off.

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:03

#43

NDPP

Clearly Berman's taming and domestication of AJE is going swimmingly.

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:08

#44

Jaku

remind wrote:

The BB and CJC are going well beyond expressing an opinion here, winnifred, moreover your comments and theirs indicate a sense of privilege and gall, that go well beyond the acceptable threshhold.

Really? So how far is "well beyond"? Are they engaging in hate speech, sedition, treason? Are there now limits in Canada as to how often and how far people can go in their exercise of free speech? What are you talking about???

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:14

#45

Winnifred

Remind, you are entering dangerous waters here. I understand jaku's concerns. While one can decry positions taken by any group or individual there are no limitations on free speech in Canada save what is not permiited by law.

Why would you limit Jewish groups from exercising their rights?

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:22

#46

Lard Tunderin Jeezus Lard Tunderin Jeezus's picture

Winnifred wrote:

While one can decry positions taken by any group or individual there are no limitations on free speech in Canada save what is not permiited by law.

...there are limits to patience however, and you test those limits repeatedly.

Winnifred wrote:

Why would you limit Jewish groups from exercising their rights?

Just to be sure: You believe that it is their right to act as a censor/filter on the expression of others? And you believe this has something to do with supporting free speech?

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:27

#47

Stargazer

Their right to limit free speech? So is this sort of like that lame argument that somehow we must tolerant bigots?

I'm seriously amazed at the pro CJC BB no matter what costs crowd on here. Doesn't the CJC have it's own PR people?

If this were a Israeli station and the CMC wanted to "review" the complaints you'd be up in arms over this. Now it's all about free speech. Funny how it's okay for one group but not for another.

Winnifred, I urge you to exercise your rights and just don't listen to the channel. Instead, you presume us to be complete idiots who can't tell who the bad guys are.

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:31

#48

remind

Why would you think you have a right to limit our rights? Or better yet why do you think your rights outweigh our rights, winnifred and jaku?

As it actually has nothing to do with limiting "Jewish groups" rights, it has to do with attempts to limit our rights.

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:37

#49

contrarianna

Winnifred wrote:

This is all very tolerant of you. Jewish groups actually are aloud to express an opinion are they not?

What audacious crap, and cynical fart for "freedom of expression" .

"Expressing an opinion" is just that.

But allowing a lobby a review panel as gatekeeper for OTHER peoples expression is oppression.

Is the oil lobby to have a "review panel" for all environmental stories as well?

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:40

#50

Jaku

How exactly are BB and CJC limiting your rights? Actually both are on record as not opposing AJE. It was Tony Burman who offered the consultation committee, why arent you dumping then on him? All CJC ever said in relation to Al Jazeera English is that they have concerns. And this to you is over the top?

No, seems to me you are the ones trying to limit the rights of Jewish groups. Had CJC or BB opposed the license that would be one thing. Had they both demanded a consultative group that would be another. None of that happened so get a grip and try to see your own bias for a change.

Fri, 2009-07-03 12:50

#51

Winnifred

contrarianna wrote:

Winnifred wrote:

This is all very tolerant of you. Jewish groups actually are aloud to express an opinion are they not?

What audacious crap, and cynical fart for "freedom of expression" .

"Expressing an opinion" is just that.

But allowing a lobby a review panel as gatekeeper for OTHER peoples expression is oppression.

Is the oil lobby to have a "review panel" for all environmental stories as well?

The fact that you blame Jewish organizations for a recommendation from Al Jazeera itself tells me a lot.

Here is exactly what CJC said about this consultation committee:

"Bernie Farber, head of the CJC, said Burman alleviated some of its fears when he proposed a consultation committee, made up of the CJC and B'nai Brith Canada, to serve as a conduit for immediate complaints. "That brought us some lessening of our angst, but we still remain concerned and vigilant," Farber said in an interview."

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/659527

So Burman proposed it . Farber said he's concerened and vigilant. And this you say is too much opinion by Jewish groups. Sometimes your blind disregard for the obvious is pretty sickening.

"Tough reception for Al-Jazeera bid in Canada"

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