Let Al Jazeera Broadcast to Canada in English

Al Jazeera is one of the best mainstream Television Networks in the world. Yes! Surprise? Not really...Only if you view it regularly, you will appreciate its content and coverage (and not hear references to it only when some neurosis-bound psychotic goon and former mercenary in the pay of the US, currently in the hills of Pakistan issues taped messages). Canada does everything in its capacity to prevent Al Jazeera from entering Canada. It has extraordinary reportage from the farthest corners of the world. On Human Rights, on Democracy, on Popular Movements, some of the best Interviews, debates and forums on Art , Culture and Human Development. Al Jazzera goes into places and geographies that CNN, BBC, CBC in their claustrophic and eurocentric mentality have never heard off. For over three years I have been watching Al Jazeera while abroad and through Livestation, while in Canada. There are certain lobbies that want to keep Al Jazeera out, because of their own racist anti-Arabist bias.No matter what! That is how the Harper regime has aligned itself. Cheap propaganda is done about them. Al JAzeera is fair and never turns a blind eye to calling a spade a spade.Note that Al Jazzera is run by professional and progressive journalists and well-reknowned broadcasters formerly from CBC, BBC, NBC, researchers from the South Asian subcontinent, Israel, Africa, USA, even Canada and elsewhere and reporters who have had extraordinary experience working in South America, Africa, China, The Middle East. Bringing Al Jazeera into Canada will provide the people of Canada a new perspective on the world, which a majority of Canadians do not have access to. Al Jazeera covers the South, as well, while our current crop of TV networks primarily represent and lobby for the North.Al Jazeera covered Katrina, the Bolivian referendum, the Gaza carnage, Tienanmen, the Indian elections as an example, in far greater detail than any other network.
Dismissing Al Jazeera as "oil money, ben laden mouth piece etc" is shallow and steeped in mediocrity. Al Jazeera continues to provide in depth coverage of Latin American society, European debates, goes deep into the Black belt in USA, covers Australia, Pacifia, Phillipines, Palestine, Somalia, Japan and Korea. Let us benefit from this network, in these days of limited coverage and perspective.

Please forward widely.



Canadians deserve more options.
Support the Al Jazeera English application to broadcast in Canada!

Please take a few moments to contact the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) to explain why you support the Al Jazeera English application to broadcast in Canada. Send your comments by mail, fax or e-mail. Please see instructions below.

Why Al Jazeera English (AJE)?

1) AJE provides news and information not available elsewhere and from parts of the world that go unreported. There is also evidence that it serves as a 'bridge' to understand other cultures.

2) Canadians, as part of the most multicultural country in the world, would particularly appreciate its unique perspective on global issues.

3) Al Jazeera operates within a strict Code of Ethics and adheres to the rigorous regulation of Britain's regulatory authority, Ofcom.

4) Al Jazeera has a reputation for reporting stories no one else does. AJE received international acclaim as the only international English-language news channel which covered both sides of the Gaza-Israeli conflict.

5) AJE's editorial staff is made up of 50 nationalities and brings a truly international treatment of world issues.

6) AJE is widely respected throughout the broadcast industry, and has already won many major journalistic awards.

7) AJE is a distinct channel within the Al Jazeera group - with separate editorial staff, priorities and audience - but it is proud to be part of the Al Jazeera journalistic tradition.

Where does Al Jazeera English (AJE) broadcast?

After only two years on the air, AJE has a huge audience reach that is growing faster than any other international news channel in history. It is available in over 100 countries. Why not in Canada? We all understand the importance of having more media sources in Canada, especially independent and unconsolidated media channels.

Although Al Jazeera English offers its broadcast for free, live, streaming on the internet, Canadians should have the right to view its programming in high definition on television. Please act now and let the CRTC know that we want Al Jazeera in Canada. If the CRTC gives Al Jazeera broadcasting rights it could be available in Canada by satellite and digital distribution by the fall.

Support the campaign NOW by drafting a letter in support of the application and submitting it to the CRTC & ECGL through any of the following options:

http://www.canadiansforaljazeera.ca/crtc-steps.pdf
http://www.cjpme.ca/action_aje_2009_05.shtml
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/al_jazeera

PLEASE ACT NOW: All submissions are due Monday, June 8, 2009.

For more information, please visit the following campaign sites:

WEBSITE: http://www.canadiansforaljazeera.ca/discover.html
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76766634563
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/canada4aljazera
ACTION ALERT: http://www.cjpme.ca/action_aje_2009_05.shtml

If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail canadiansforaljazeera@gmail.com.