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Al Jazeera comes to Canada
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Al Jazeera's Arabic language programming was simply too hot for Canada but the English language programming is a different story.
An attempt dating back to 2003 to get the Qatar based news service into Canadian homes fizzled when cable and satellite companies were told they would be held responsible for offensive comments. Given Al Jazeera's reputation, the companies in question took a pass.
Today though the CRTC gave the green light to Al Jazeera English to air in Canada.
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The Commission approves a request to add Al Jazeera English (AJE) to the lists of eligible satellite services for distribution on a digital basis and amends the lists of eligible satellite services accordingly. |
The commission says that there were 2,600 submission in favour of Al Jazeera with just 40 against. Those against were individuals while the supporters came from ethnic and religious groups as well as from the major political parties.
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Among the many individuals and organizations who filed supporting comments were the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, the Canadian Arab Federation, the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association, Independent Jewish Voices, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, the Arab Canadian Association of the Atlantic Provinces, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, the Canada Palestine Support Network, the Service Employees International Union, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre Paul Dewar, Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth Jack Layton, Member of Parliament for Burnaby-New Westminster Peter Julian, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East Libby Davies, Senator Marcel Prud’homme and Senator Hugh D. Segal. |
Tony Burman, the former CBC executive who is now managing editor for Al Jazeera English, tells The Toronto Star that “Al Jazeera English is...determined to bring to the forefront the views and perspectives of the developing world.” Al Jazeera English was started in 2006 and is now broadcast around the world..
According to statements made by B'nai Brith, Burman has promised that fears of anti-Jewish commentary spreading across Canada through Al Jazeera will not happen. Bernie Farber of the Canadian Jewish Congress telling The Star that while much of what he sees on Al Jazeera Arabic is problematic, that is not the case with the English service.
Brian Lilley is the Ottawa Bureau Chief for radio stations Newstalk 1010 in Toronto and CJAD 800 in Montreal. Follow Brian on Twitter to get the latest as it happens.
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