Qatar to act on US Al Jazeera concerns

[mbperrin]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1098530.htm

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani has pledged to act on sternly worded US complaints that the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television network's coverage of Iraq is unfair.

<snip>

At the State Department, deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said Washington was "looking for the Qataris to take action" in response to the US complaints.

"We've asked them to take steps to professionalise the station and to adopt practices that other responsible news organisations do, and expect that will happen in due course," he told reporters.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell warned after a meeting with Sheikh Hamad that Al Jazeera's coverage of US-led military operations in Iraq was hurting other strong bilateral ties.

(Gosh, now we hate them for THEIR freedoms!)

[smiley_glad_hands]

1. Fascism at its best.

If we can't control the message we can't control the world.

[alcuno]

2. Hey Colin! Do something about FAUX!

Clearly they've hurt strong bilateral ties. Just look at the France and Germany bashing.

[AlCzervik]

3. I wouldnt get ot worried about a crackdown

just yet, the Prince or King of Qutar owns a huge stake in Al-jazeera and for them business is good. Crackdown in name only.

[htuttle]

11. A lot of times it seems that people tell the Bush administration 'No',...

...But the administration somehow manages to think it heard 'Yes'.

[Chicago Democrat]

4. We hate them because they are free!

[homelandpunk]

5. Sheikh bin Boosh-Likkah should get a nice little fruit basket from Colon

for his pledge to "act". If I were a young Muslim zealot in the Sheikh's country, and I read about this, I would be looking up the Sheikh's schedule, his appearances, when he is most likely alone....

[benburch]

6. The implied threat here.

"Be a nice little client state or we send in the Wehrmacht, er ah, the Pentagon."

[Dirk39]

7. Fair and Balanced...

fair and balanced
fair and balanced
fair and balanced
fair and balanced
"to adopt practices that other responsible news organisations do"
to make the American citizens believe....

that there are ties between Iraq/Hussein and Al-Quaida

that about 100.000 Vietnamese people were killed by Americans

that ethnic cleansing was the reason for the invasion in Yugoslavia

that there was a velvet revolution in Georgia iniatiated by the citizens of Georgia

that Fidel Castro teached killer-alligators to swimm to Miami and attack freedom fighters

instead of believing incredible lies like that the Iraq war boosts Halliburton profits
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9087FAAC-F2CF-421D-A5F9-9A32763...

I could just go on and on and on...

Hello from Germany,
Dirk

[AP]

8. I thought Republicans believed in deregulation of markets.

Are they seriously telling us that they think regulations will make Al Jazeera a better source of news?

If they are, I have a few rules I'd like Fox to play by.

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. So, in essence, Powell said we'll pull

out support of foreign aid and military defense the connect you to terror support and pronounce you a rogue regime.

The arrogance of these people is unbelievable.

[CHIMO]

10. Martin descends on Washington

At least one right-wing American news anchor, Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, has been critical of Canada's embrace of two U.S. war deserters who are seeking asylum in Canada and its stand on the war, and Canada has shown up in the New York Times as well on the issue of the CRTC's refusal to allow Fox News to broadcast its 24-hour news channel in Canada. On his show recently, Mr. O'Reilly went as far as suggesting that if Canada allows the two men asylum, his show, Talking Points will call for a boycott of Canada.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040428.wmartin0428_2/BNStory/Front/?query=fox


Go ahead and boycott! What else can be said?

[daleo]

12. Powell wants greater professionalization

Such as:
- more shark attacks
- more Kobe Bryant stories
- more Jon Bonet Ramsey stories
- more Micheal Jackson stories
- more Janet Jackson breast stories
- more top movie gross lists
- etc.

[FreakinDJ]

13. The headline is wrong

Should read : US attempts to block Free Press