International News Assignment

Observations:
-many similar headlines (london riots)
-much more diverse reporters/anchors
-more angles (not just effects on US, but more global effects)
-all professional format/ just as good of coverage
-very little soft news, but still use episodic framing (use emotional appeal)



1. How effective do you think the Internet will be for Al Jazeera as it attempts to reach a U.S. audience?

I think the Internet will be very effective in reaching a US audience. Anyone with access to a computer has access to the news station. With the growing use of the Internet as a news source, Al Jazeera cannot help but gain an audience.

2. Based on your own observations, do you think that Al Jazeera English should be allowed to broadcast in the U.S.?

I do believe Al Jazeera English should be allowed to broadcast in the US. It is no different from any other mainstream news station in content or format. Most of the reporters are not even Middle Eastern; they are white, many times former US reporters. The stories being covered on the network are similar to those being reported by all major networks currently.

3. What, if anything, do you notice about Al Jazeera's approach to telling the news? How is it different than the U.S.-based TV news outlets that you have experienced?

Al Jazeera’s approach to telling the news is much more global. Unlike U.S.-based TV news outlets which focus mainly on U.S.-based stories, Al Jazeera covers stories from around the world, not just the Middle East or the U.S.

Al Jazeera’s approach was also more hands-on compared to U.S.-based news outlets. One reporter covering a story about a protest was reporting from the crowd and actually got pushed around by the crowd during his coverage.

4. While on the Al Jazeera site, be sure to check out the network's published Code of Ethics. Based on your own observations, do you think they are adhering to them?

While I have not watched a great deal of Al Jazeera, I believe they are adhering to to the Code of Ethics. The network has a diverse group of reporters, which aids in the network’s ability to provide multiple perspectives and points of view when covering the news. Also, I think compared to mainstream news in the U.S., the commercial/business influence is much weaker, supporting Al Jazeera’s commitments regarding fair unbiased news coverage.