"Arab perspective, Vermont audience; Burlington Telecom’s inclusion of Arab station divides opinions" by Joseph P. Khan, Globe Staff / March 26, 2011
BURLINGTON, Vt. — He’s Palestinian-American; she holds a master’s degree in Arabic literature. In addition, unlike the vast majority of Americans, their primary news sources go beyond American newspapers, television networks, and websites to include Al Jazeera English, an offshoot of the Arabic-language news channel....
Mine go even further than that.
And now there even seems to be some question about Al Jazeera -- and their sudden arrival on the front page of my Zionist War Daily is nearly confirmation.
Based in Qatar, Al Jazeera English reaches 220 million house holds in more than 100 countries, yet it is available on a full-time basis to only a tiny sliver of US cable TV subscribers in three domestic markets: Toledo, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Burlington, Vt., a modest-sized (population 42,400), university-centric city in the northwestern corner of the state.
Related: Qatar joins in flights to enforce Libya no-fly zone
Known for its citizens’ progressive political views and interest in global issues, Burlington is nevertheless an odd candidate to have made Al Jazeera a staple of its broadcast news diet. For starters, few Arab-Americans live there.
As if only Arab-Americans would be interested in voices other than the Zionist war propaganda posing as news.
Yet as Al Jazeera’s profile continues to rise, both in the United States and abroad — news analysts and diplomats regularly cite the “Al Jazeera effect’’ behind media-fueled uprisings in the Arab world — Burlington viewers can claim credit for being ahead of the curve.
In the meantime, Al Jazeera has been expanding its US operations, which are based in the nation’s capital, and recently added a Los Angeles bureau. On its website, visitors are urged to lobby their own cable providers to add the news channel to their programming menus....
“Our own mainstream media are so dumbed down....’’
There is no arguing with that. In fact, they should not even be called mainstream.
I'm not reading or watching them anymore. I try to listen and am sure to read the mainstream media whenever I can. You may disagree with Rivero on several side issues; however, he gets most of the other stuff right -- and besides, there is something wrong if you agree with anyone (even me, dear readers) 100%.
My advice to you, dear reader, is DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and your OWN THINKING!
I can BE a PIECE of YOUR PUZZLE, but I am NOT a GOD!
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Testimonials like these aside, access to the channel, never mind trusting it as a news source, remains controversial here.
I suppose that is where the AmeriKan media has 'em; not trusting them has long since ceased being controversial.
Three years ago, a threatened cancellation by Burlington Telecom, a municipally chartered provider of phone, Internet, and cable TV services, caused an uproar, pitting free-speech advocates against critics who accused Al Jazeera of promoting pro-Muslim; anti-Israel and, in some cases, anti-American views....
Of course, you can do it the other way and be a (failing and fading) newspaper. That's why I'm hardly reading the Zionist War Daily these days.
Comcast Corp., the country’s largest cable provider, with 23 million customers, does not carry Al Jazeera and declined to discuss whether it might someday. However, reports surfaced this month that Comcast and Al Jazeera representatives had met to discuss future arrangements....
Critics like Jeffrey Kaufman are hopeful that then Al Jazeera would be canceled for good....
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“Without citizens — I mean normal citizens — really getting involved, it would have been taken off the air,’’ said Burlington attorney Sandy Baird, a Burlington College professor. Baird has assigned students in her history course to watch Al Jazeera, something she’s been doing herself each night lately. For most young Americans unfamiliar with non-Western news sources, Baird added, the experience has been “consciousness-raising.’’
Oh, the history course brings back memories of a happy time of naivete.
That's one reason I'm such a sarcastic and biting shit, readers. The realization that I was lied to by my state-sanctioned school and mouthpiece media has been a real mind-blower.
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A cluster of viewers lives at Burlington Cohousing East Village, a mixed-aged residential complex near the University of Vermont campus. Residents Peter Lackowski said: “Al Jazeera doesn’t have the usual biases that American news sources have.’’
Gee, I can not imagine what he is talking about.
--more--"
At least there is always good old NPR:
"Vt. public radio fears cuts if funding is lost" by Johnny Diaz, Globe Staff / March 25, 2011
COLCHESTER, Vt.— Jon Wallace, state coordinator for the Vermont Tea Party, supports the proposed ban. Wallace said he’s a VPR listener, but government money is needed elsewhere.
Yeah, like mass-murdering wars, bank coffers, aid to Israel, or setting up a program to establish false identities online for purposes of arguing with truth-telling bloggers.
"Leaked emails from data security firm HBGary show the federal government is offering private intelligence companies contracts to create software to manage “fake people” on social media sites, possibly to manipulate public opinion or create the illusion of consensus on controversial issues."
Newspapers no longer getting it done, huh?
And you wonder why I accept no comments?
And although he’s not a donor himself, Wallace said public broadcasters could survive solely on contributions from listeners and underwriters. “They should stand on their own two feet,’’ he said. “We are in dire straits, and these tough decisions have to be made.’’
I agree: no bailouts for controlled-opposition, government-sponsored media.
Look at what bloggers get done on spare change and shoestrings.
But Vermont state Representative Peter Welch, a Democrat with an office in Burlington, believes the federal money is well spent. “VPR is the unifying source of state news, everything from what is going on with the maple syrup harvest to the budget in Montpelier,’’ he said. “We need more VPR, not less.’’
In an ideal world without mass-murdering wars, Wall Street looting of the American taxpayers, and billions in aid to Israel I would happily fund an informative, educational, truth-telling media. Then I could stop being here and really start enjoying life again.
Until that day.... sigh. Hard to believe it has been over four years since wanting to end the wars -- and now we have another one on our hands. Hell, let's just call it what it is: this is World War III we are in the middle of, dear readers.
Vermont Public Radio is the only source of National Public Radio programs such as the interview show “Fresh Air’’ and the news magazine “All Things Considered’’
Which doesn't consider all things which is why I never listen.
--more--"
I think I used up all five freebies, readers.
And I'm sorry for all the briefs and Metro section stories regarding Vermont I have failed to read due to time constraints and other factors.
Related: Why Am I No Longer Reading the Newspaper?
And even beyond that, readers. It is the never-ending lies, division, and obfuscations on so many things, even the most minute and minuscule.
