Event Summary:
Summary by
Kaitlin Short
Reporting from the Global South
With Tony Burman, Managing Director, Al Jazeera English
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Munk Centre, University of Toronto
On May 26 2009, the Canadian International Council held an event on the subject of Al Jazeera and the International Media. In front of a full audience at the Munk Centre for International Studies, Mr. Tony Burman, Managing Director of Al Jazeera English, addressed the unique aspects of Al Jazeera English, the Western stereotypes of Al Jazeera, and the potential role that Al Jazeera English could play in Canadian homes. The result was an informative and engaging evening that included a Q&A period and networking reception.
Reaching over 140 million homes in more than 100 countries, Al Jazeera English’s mission is to show every angle and every side of every issue that is newsworthy. To achieve its mission, Mr. Burman highlighted that it is the only international news channel based in the global south, beginning its broadcast day in Asia and ending in the Americas. While the West’s media agenda is focused on the centres of power, Al Jazeera English’s starting point is focused on the people who are affected by such power. As a result, Al Jazeera English gives a voice to the marginalized and provides coverage from countries that have never penetrated the North American media. An example of such comprehensive coverage was evident during the Gaza conflict when Al Jazeera English was the only English news channel to cover both sides of the conflict. Mr. Burman asserted that the outcome of Al Jazeera English’s coverage is a sense of universality on issues between the developing and developed world.
Addressing concerns of Al Jazeera English’s content, Mr. Burman noted that in the two years of Al Jazeera’s broadcasting in Britain it has never had a problem with the media regulator Ofcom, known to be the toughest in the world. Mr. Burman also tackled the stigma regarding Al Jazeera’s relationship with Al Qaeda. According to Mr. Burman, Al Jazeera was viewed as a poster child for Arab Democracy since its inception in 1996 until it became a target by United States government officials after November 2001. Reports of civilian causalities from US bombings in Afghanistan and false claims that Al Jazeera originally broadcasted Osama Bin Laden’s first post 9/11 interview led to accusations that Al Jazeera was a mouthpiece for Bin Laden. This stereotype continues to make North Americans uncertain about Al Jazeera’s agenda, despite the respect it has outside of North America.
At the heart of Mr. Burman’s speech was the issue of distribution of Al Jazeera English within Canada, which would also lead to an opening of a Canadian bureau. As one of the most multicultural countries in the world, Mr. Burman stated that Al Jazeera English is a channel that needs to be in Canada. While Canada has neither Al Jazeera Arabic nor Al Jazeera English, the US carries Al Jazeera Arabic and Israel carries both. With indications of interest by Canadian cable and satellite companies, Al Jazeera English is awaiting a response from the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission pertaining to its application for carriage in Canada. With the hope that a decision will be given by July, the public can provide their support for Al Jazeera English by viewing the website iwantaje.ca and contacting the CRTC. Reflecting on the issues that are important for Canadians, such as diversity and freedom of expression, Mr. Burman insists that Al Jazeera English will fit comfortably in Canadian homes.
View the event flyer: Flyer.
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