Al-Jazeera and "The Other Opinion"

Despite fierce attack and media racism against Al-jazeera network by the western media and some of its officials the coverage is expanding . Al-jazeera would mark in fact the fall of the western media empire, and the fierce campaign is not abating its dream of making the third world be seen from a perspective different from that of colonialists.

Nobody claims that Al-jazeera is absolute, but there is no question that the non-westerns have a better opportunity to make their voice heard. We see young African journalists narrating about their continent with their voice. As for Asia, the rapid expansion of the network to imp0rtant countries , including countries like Philippine which was made suspicious by the smear against campaign.

The secret behind the success is nothing more that the transparent approach.It is not marching Arab reporters all over the world rather , its staffs are from 50 different countries which makes it uniques. Even though some get angered an left the channel, it keeps the same standard among all the staffs ,whether from west or East.

I may not like some of its coverage but the principle of "the opinion and the other opinion" which the network highlights reminds me of the "other opinion" ,the other voice which should not be ignored as well. But that was not and is not easy task for Al-jazeera. Under this principle, when Al-jazeera made brought the voice of the Israelis for the first time, it was nothing more than the `mouth peace of the zionists`. for many Arabs At that time the network was hailed for the courageous move. Then comes the recent Al-jazeera coverage of the Israeli military incursion in Gaza. The live coverage was live and has shown devastating Gaza . That angered Israeli, and Al-jazeera become "Hamas mouth peace". Not only US officials did accuse and bombed Al-jazeera, but almost all Arab countries were angry at the channel at some time and some recalled their embassy just because of "The other opinion".

Media become the most powerful tool that all are trying to ensure that "the other opinion" suppressed as much as possible. Al jazeera is what it is, because of the "other opinion", and it did sacrifice for that , and it might continue for some time to come.

The harder the opponents try to discredit Al-jazeera, the more popular it becomes. Even there are more Western high profile journalists being attracted to the channel, and the last one Tony Burman, the one-time head of CBC news, and has been appointed managing director of Al Jazeera's English operations.

Western media empire are no more reliable , not only because they coverage of Africa is poor but due to what we have seen in Iraq, which is to beat the drum and multiply lies . It was recent news that the Pentagon employed ex-generals as independent analysts to sell its policies.

Al-jazeera is only the beginning , and it has proven that it will hold on its principles no matter how hard some may try to influence its editorial line. However, the real solution would be having of our own Africa`s Al-jazeera, that of Asia, Latin-America....which would give voice to all.The one which pleases us and the one that we may not like as well.