Why we support AJE

Al Jazeera's coverage provides a unique take, more context and deeper analyses that is important for North American and Canadian audiences. The network's stated objective is "to give voice to untold stories, promote debate and challenge established perceptions."

Some of the best talent from public broadcasters such as the CBC and Britain's BBC are now on staff at AJE. Avi Lewis, former host of On The Map and CounterSpin, now anchors AJE's lead program, Fault Lines. Managing Director of AJE is Tony Burman, who was editor in chief of CBC News from 2002 to 2007. He is blunt in describing the network's goal: "We simply want people to understand the full story, not a narrow one. Every angle. Every side. Regardless of the consequences."

The "Al Jazeera effect" has already liberalized Arab media with its forthright and balanced journalism when it was launched in 2006. Now, four years later, with its ability to broadcast in Canada, Al Jazeera English will introduce a much needed global perspective in North America. AJE offers high journalistic standards and diverse voices and perspectives that Canadians and their government need to hear. AJE also has a tendency to look at issues like war and peace, the environment and the economy from the vantage point of average people and grassroots organizations and to be critical of powerful institutions and government officials and business leaders.

While most of the major North American news networks have embedded with military forces in recent conflicts, AJE is famous for its fearless, unembedded reporting behind civilian lines and covering the true costs of war for ordinary people. Al Jazeera holds to journalistic ethics similar to the CBC and the BBC, and there is something comforting about the fact that AJE is controversial with both Arab heads of state and with the U.S. government.

As big media seem increasingly unable or unwilling to invest in hard news and investigative journalism, this development couldn't come at a better time. AJE will open a Canadian bureau in Toronto in June. Senior producer Jet Belgraver and correspondent Imtiaz Tyab have already been hired.

Avi Lewis told Steve Anderson from OpenMedia.ca in a recent interview that, while we shouldn't expect AJE to have anything more than a regional bureau in Canada, he thinks AJE "will be doing a lot more coverage of Canada then we've been doing." If AJE captures enough audience, it might nudge the CBC and even the private broadcasters to reinvest in and buttress their own citizen-framed, investigative news. Lewis says he thinks AJE could push CBC and other public broadcasters to "up their game internationally." And for those of us interested in media, we might find some coverage of the Canadian media environment from AJE's Listening Post.

While adding a fountain of diversity and quality information to Canada's concentrated media ecology is enough to celebrate, how AJE pursues this market will make a big difference on its net effect. For example, if AJE pursues collaborations with Canada's independent media outlets, it could provide a powerful leg up for organizations like Rabble.ca, StraightGoods, TheTyee, The Mark and others. Imagine the power of a partnership in which these indie news outlets help AJE reach Canadians online, while AJE helps get these organizations out to TV viewers across the country. This sort of cross-pollination could provide a new critical mass of readers for online independent media. If AJE takes on this role, it really could reinvigorate Canada's media landscape.

AJE's entrance into Canada is a clear win for media diversity.

Take action for fair access to AJE Now!