Al Jazeera English
The 15th of November 2006 marked the moment Al Jazeera English began broadcasting to a global audience. This date initiated the first twenty-four-hour news channel headquartered in the Middle East. The network launched with an ambitious goal to reach forty million households worldwide. That target proved conservative as the service quickly expanded to eighty million homes within its first few years. By 2009, the channel reached one hundred thirty million homes across more than one hundred countries through satellite and cable systems. A network spokeswoman in Washington confirmed this rapid growth during that period. Initial test streams appeared on satellites like Hot Bird and Astra 1E in March 2006 under the name AJI. The channel eventually secured placement on major European markets including Freeview in the United Kingdom by late 2013. Canadian providers like Rogers Cable and Bell Satellite TV added the service to their lineups starting in May 2010. The expansion into North America faced significant hurdles despite these international successes.
Al Jazeera's coverage of the Arab Spring earned the network numerous awards including the Peabody Award. Reporters Ayman Mohyeldin and Sherine Tadros were already inside Gaza when the conflict began in December 2008. They remained there throughout the fighting while foreign press access was limited via Egypt or Israel. This presence made Al Jazeera English and Iran's state-run Press TV the only international broadcasters with journalists reporting from both sides of the border. The network's reporting on the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 drew acclaim and renewed attention from American viewers. One report noted that 1.6 million U.S. viewers tuned in via Internet stream on the 1st of February 2011. Hillary Clinton later acknowledged increasing American audience interest during the Libyan Civil War. She stated that viewers felt they were getting real news around the clock instead of commercial interruptions. The channel positioned itself as an alternative media platform focusing on narrative reporting where subjects present their own stories. This approach contrasted sharply with Western outlets like CNN and BBC which dominated global news distribution at the time.
Industry giant Comcast originally planned to carry Al Jazeera English in 2007 but reversed its decision shortly before launch. Speculation suggested the choice may have been influenced by allegations from the Bush administration regarding anti-American bias. Only a small number of Americans could watch the channel on televisions despite availability in markets like Bristol County Rhode Island and Washington DC. The situation changed dramatically when Al Jazeera purchased Current TV for fifty million dollars on the 2nd of January 2013. This acquisition led to the launch of Al Jazeera America which geo-blocked the official live stream of Al Jazeera English in the United States starting the 18th of August 2013. Most video content became unavailable to American viewers through YouTube or other platforms. The block remained in place until September 2016 when the online live stream was restored after Al Jazeera America closed down. The closure occurred on the 12th of April 2016 citing economic landscape challenges. Despite these efforts, penetration in the American market remained limited compared to other regions. The network primarily reached U.S. audiences through its free online streaming service rather than traditional cable systems.
The Al Jazeera Investigative Unit produced documentaries that earned recognition including the CINE Golden Eagle award. A 2012 film titled What Killed Arafat? explored the mysterious death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat who died in 2004 at age seventy-five. The documentary suggested he may have been poisoned with polonium-210. Another investigation released in 2019 called How to Sell a Massacre exposed efforts by the National Rifle Association to influence Australian politics. Generation Hate revealed activities of the far-right group Generation Identity in France including racist attacks and Nazi salutes. Football's Wall of Silence reported allegations of sexual abuse involving youth footballers and coaches within the British system. Broken Dreams examined quality control problems among Boeing employees regarding the Dreamliner aircraft. These films raised concerns about safety and institutional responses to various global issues. The unit also produced The Labour Files which examined internal documents from the British Labour Party. This series described actions as part of what the programme characterised as a coup by stealth against Jeremy Corbyn supporters. Such investigations demonstrated the unit's focus on human rights abuses political corruption and environmental issues worldwide.
Egyptian security forces arrested three Al Jazeera English journalists at Cairo's Marriott Hotel on the 29th of December 2013. The detainees included Australian Peter Greste Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed. They faced accusations of reporting news damaging to national security despite international outcry and campaigns like #FreeAJStaff. On the 23rd of June 2014, Greste and Fahmy received seven-year sentences while Mohamed was sentenced to ten years. Global leaders and media outlets denounced the verdicts as politically motivated attacks on press freedom. Greste was released and deported to Australia on the 1st of February 2015 after mounting pressure. The trio faced an additional three-year sentence on the 29th of August 2015 sparking further condemnation. The Canadian government sought Fahmy's pardon which was granted on the 23rd of September 2015 alongside a pardon for Mohamed. These events underscored concerns about press freedom and raised calls for reevaluating foreign aid to Egypt. In 2012, Melissa Chan served as the longstanding China correspondent before facing expulsion from that country. Her departure followed a documentary aired by the channel focusing on China's prison system titled Slavery: A 21st Century Evil.
Emmy award-winning journalist Dave Marash resigned from his position in March 2008 citing anti-American bias at the network. He felt this attitude more from British administrators than Arabs though he described Al Jazeera as the best news channel on Earth. An the 12th of October 2008 broadcast featured interviews with people attending a Sarah Palin United States presidential election rally in St. Clairsville Ohio. Interviewees made comments such as he regards white people as trash and I'm afraid if he wins the blacks will take over. The report received over two million views on YouTube prompting criticism from The Washington Post claiming deliberate encouragement of anti-American sentiment overseas. Al Jazeera countered that the report was just one of hundreds of hours of diverse coverage. Despite these controversies the network won more than 150 prizes medals and awards as of May 2017. It secured Broadcaster of the Year titles at the New York Festival's TV & Film Awards in both 2022 and 2023. The Royal Television Society Award recognized the channel in 2021 and 2022. Agence France-Presse awarded correspondent Asad Hashim its Kate Webb Prize in 2018 for articles on ethnic Pashtuns in Pakistan. These accolades highlighted critical acclaim for alternative perspectives on Western media dominance while accusations of bias persisted.
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Common questions
When did Al Jazeera English begin broadcasting to a global audience?
Al Jazeera English began broadcasting to a global audience on the 15th of November 2006. This date initiated the first twenty-four-hour news channel headquartered in the Middle East.
What awards has Al Jazeera English won for its coverage of the Arab Spring and other events?
Al Jazeera English earned numerous awards including the Peabody Award for its coverage of the Arab Spring. The network secured Broadcaster of the Year titles at the New York Festival's TV & Film Awards in both 2022 and 2023.
Why was Al Jazeera English geo-blocked in the United States starting in August 2013?
The block started on the 18th of August 2013 after Al Jazeera purchased Current TV for fifty million dollars on the 2nd of January 2013. This acquisition led to the launch of Al Jazeera America which geo-blocked the official live stream of Al Jazeera English in the United States.
Who were the three journalists arrested by Egyptian security forces in December 2013?
Egyptian security forces arrested Australian Peter Greste, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, and Egyptian Baher Mohamed at Cairo's Marriott Hotel on the 29th of December 2013. They faced accusations of reporting news damaging to national security despite international outcry.
What investigative documentaries did the Al Jazeera Investigative Unit produce regarding global issues?
The unit produced films such as What Killed Arafat? which explored the death of Yasser Arafat and How to Sell a Massacre which exposed efforts by the National Rifle Association. Other investigations included Generation Hate and Football's Wall of Silence.
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124 references cited across the entry
- 1newsAl Jazeera turning into private media organisationHabib Toumi — 13 July 2011
- 2newsHow Al Jazeera took on the (English-speaking) worldScott Bridges — 19 October 2012
- 3newsAl-Jazeera Says Its English-Language News Channel Will Launch November 15The Post-Star — 1 November 2006
- 5newsAl-Jazeera: the Qatar broadcaster at centre of diplomatic crisisGraham Ruddick — 24 June 2017
- 6newsAl Jazeera provides an inside look at Gaza conflictNoam Cohen — January 2009
- 7webAl-Jazeera English, N.Y. Times Take Home duPont Awards21 December 2011
- 8newsAl-Jazeera English, N.Y. Times Take Home duPont Awards2011-12-21
- 10journalReinterpreting Human Rights through Global Media: A Case Study of Al Jazeera EnglishCecilia M Bailliet — 2013
- 11bookThe Al Jazeera Effect: How the New Global Media Are Reshaping World PoliticsPhilip M. Seib — Potomac Books, Inc. — 2008
- 12bookAl-Jazeera and US War CoverageTal Samuel-Azran — Peter Lang — 2010
- 13newsAl Jazeera Offers Americans An Alternative For NewsDavid Folkenflik — 2013-08-21
- 14journalAl-Jazeera as Global Alternative News Source (Qatar/Transnational)Adel Iskandar
- 15webHow Al Jazeera took on the (English-speaking) world • Inside StoryAdministrator — 2012-10-19
- 16webAl-Jazeera Renames English-Language ChannelLeigh Holmwood — MediaGuardian — 14 November 2006
- 17newsAl-Jazeera English hits airwaves15 November 2006
- 18newsAl Jazeera provides an inside look at Gaza conflictNoam Cohen — 1 January 2009
- 19newsAl-Jazeera English Struggles For U.S. Audience24 February 2009
- 20webDemand Al Jazeera
- 21newsAl Jazeera English launches on New York cable2 August 2011
- 22webBroadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-725: Addition of Al Jazeera English to the lists of eligible satellite services for distribution on a digital basisCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission — 26 November 2009
- 23newsAl Jazeera in Canada on Brink of ApprovalDeMara, Bruce — 26 November 2009
- 24newsAl-Jazeera becomes the face of the frontline13 January 2009
- 25newsIsrael pushes further into GazaAl Jazeera — 13 January 2009
- 26newsAl Jazeera English Beats Israel's Ban on Reporters in Gaza with Exclusive CoverageAhmed Shihab-Eldin — 5 January 2009
- 29av mediaAl Jazeera English
- 30newsAl Jazeera English revamp3 January 2020
- 33newsAmerican Al Jazeera Channel Shifts Focus to U.S. NewsBrian Stelter — 26 May 2013
- 35webAl Jazeera reinforces its global position with French news channelVibhuti Arora — 21 March 2013
- 36newsAl Jazeera English announces plans to move from London's Shard to QatarEmma Graham-Harrison — 12 April 2023
- 37webHow to watch Al Jazeera English on TVAl Jazeera English
- 38webAJE - Al Jazeera English9 January 2012
- 39webAl Jazeera ConnectAl Jazeera English
- 40inlineAl Jazeera Jump TV
- 41inlineAl Jazeera RealPlayer
- 42webVDC CorporationVDC — 1 November 2011
- 43inlineAl Jazeera English Twitter
- 45inlineAl Jazeera English YouTube
- 46newsAl Jazeera English to Broadcast in IndiaKenan Machado — 7 December 2010
- 50newsAl Jazeera English on the air in CanadaBruce DeMara — 4 May 2010
- 51newsWhy can't we watch Al Jazeera?David Sirota — 28 January 2011
- 53newsAl Jazeera Meets American Resistance3 April 2006
- 55newsAl Jazeera English Finds an AudienceStelter, Brian — 31 January 2011
- 57newsAl Jazeera's Egypt coverage embarrasses U.S. cable news channelsDavid Sirota — 28 January 2011
- 59newsClinton Media Criticism Buoys Al-JazeeraBauder, David
- 60inlineAdd newscaster Roku
- 61newsAl Jazeera English Begins Airing in New York CityTHR Staff — 1 August 2011
- 62webAl-Jazeera streaming service for US22 July 2016
- 63newsAl Jazeera to launch English language digital streaming service in U.S.Reuters — 21 July 2016
- 65newsAl-Jazeera in fight for Web site name.Roland Flamini — 21 November 2005
- 66webWIPO Domain Name Decision: D2005-0309Arbitration and Mediation Center — 28 July 2005
- 67newsBetween the Lines1 April 2006
- 68newsTimes apologises to al-JazeeraStephen Brook — 16 February 2006
- 70webWho we are
- 71webAl Jazeera Investigations ReportersAl Jazeera Investigative Unit
- 72webSpring 2013 CINE Golden Eagle Award Recipients CINE2013-10-29
- 74webRTS Announces Winners For Television Journalism Awards 20132013-02-21
- 75webHow to sell a massacre: NRA's playbook revealedPeter Charley
- 76news'We'd Had a Few Drinks,' Australian Party Official Says About Gun Lobby TapeMike Ives — 26 March 2019
- 82citationBroken Dreams: The Boeing 787Marc Shaffer — 2014-09-10
- 84newsA Jet Flies, With Its Problems Never Far BehindNeil Genzlinger — 9 September 2014
- 85webUnprecedented leak exposes inner workings of UK Labour PartyInvestigation Unit Al Jazeera
- 86newsDamning leaks claim Jeremy Corbyn secretly brought down by party officials25 September 2022
- 87webThe Labour Files' exposes a toxic right-wing culture poisoning our partyMohammad Suhail — 9 October 2022
- 88webAwards
- 94newsAl Jazeera reporter Asad Hashim wins AFP's Kate Webb Prize2019-01-14
- 95newsPakistani journalist receives AFP's Kate Webb Prize2019-03-27
- 97webThe Cut: Exploring FGM2017
- 98newsEgypt crisis: Al-Jazeera journalists arrested in Cairo30 December 2013
- 100news9 Ludicrous Pieces of Evidence Used in Egypt To Jail Al Jazeera JournalistsThe Huffington Post UK — 23 June 2014
- 102newsSecretary Kerry: Prison sentences for Al Jazeera reporters 'deeply disturbing set-back' for EgyptBig News Network — 23 June 2014
- 103newsEgyptian president ignores Obama call for clemency over al-Jazeera journalistsPatrick Kingsley — 24 June 2014
- 104newsAl-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste deported from EgyptPatrick Kingsley — 1 February 2015
- 105newsEgypt jails al-Jazeera journalists29 August 2015
- 107newsAl Jazeera journalists freed from Egypt prisonAl Jazeera
- 108newsAl Jazeera closes English-language bureau in China after visa denialCNN — 8 May 2012
- 110newsChina Expels Al Jazeera ChannelMichael Wines — 7 May 2012
- 113webMelissa ChanAl Jazeera
- 114webDave Marash Quits Al-Jazeera English - CBS News2008-03-28
- 115webAl Jazeera America: Will they watch?Dylan Byers — 2013-01-12
- 116av mediaMisconceptions of Obama fuel Republican campaignCasey Kauffman — Al Jazeera — 13 October 2008
- 117newsA Rage No One Should Be StokingColbert I. King — 18 October 2008
- 118newsLetter to The Washington PostTony Burman — 25 October 2008
- 119newsAl-Jazeera goes from bad guy to good guy in the USDeutsche Welle — 10 February 2011
- 120newsAl Jazeera English maps out 9/11 coverageDavid Bauder — Bloomberg BusinessWeek — 8 September 2011
- 121webAl Jazeera takes social media to the airwaves, targeting US audiences in particularTeemu Henriksson — World Editors Forum — 19 April 2011
- 122webAl Jazeera launches 'The Stream' social media experiment onlineCyberJournalist — 19 April 2011
- 123newsAl Jazeera buys US channel Current TVAl Jazeera — 2 January 2013
- 124webWhy Al Gore sold Current TV to Al Jazeera3 January 2013