AJAM- No Longer Just Something That Grows Between Your Toes

America seems to be stuck in a rut when it comes to news. Whether we are complaining about media bias, spin, lack of investigative reporting, or plain old celebrity gossip, there is no shortage of criticisms directed toward the main stream media. But what can be done about it? Has the gnashing of teeth towards the agenda's of MSNBC or FOX News contributed to any significant programming changes? If it has, it is difficult to see, and I must have missed it in between Kim Kardashian's show and the latest from Geraldo Riviera. Perhaps what is needed is a new entrant into the crowded arena of multi million dollar news outlets, a fresh face to stir things up a bit.

One week ago today Al Jazeera America launched a new news outlet on Al Gore's failing Current TV channel. While they already had an Al-Jazeera English outlet, this will be the first to specifically cater to the the American market. With promises like "six minutes of commercials per hour" to start with and in depth news analysis rather than just glossing over important issues then new contender stands poised to make significant ripples in our current news lineup; if America gives it a chance.

Many Americans view Al-Jazeera as a "terrorist" news organization, or sympathetic to the jihad cause at minimum. Based in Doha, Qatar, AJ has had a long history of covering stories from different angles than those traditionally found in Western media coverage, such as airing Bin-Laden speeches. This conjures up deep seated hatred and fear in the hearts of many Americans, whether it is justified or not. For this reason, the future of AJAM is already in jeopardy before it even begins. Maybe the six minutes of commercials are all they could actually contract with vendors? Multiple advertising firms have already said they would not work with AJAM due to its negative image in many households. Although they have deep pockets to sustain their network for quite some time, it will prove interesting to see if AJAM can operate a successful American branch by offering something that the other competitors seem to have forgotten, namely news.

It is still too early to tell what effects AJAM and their preposed offerings will have on other domestic news agencies, but I am excited to see what happens. Maybe it will be the swift kick in the pants to reset the current state of the media, or maybe it will fall on its face and fail miserably only to retreat back to the Middle East. Whatever the outcome, I look forward to a new contender in the world of news agencies, and hope that they are able to follow through with their promise of delivering in depth, fact based news and wish them good luck. They will probably need it.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/08/2013820104744903852.html

Introductions and Icebreakers: Let's Get This Thing Going

First things first, welcome to the blog.  I would also like to take a moment to openly state my severe dislike of the word "blog".  I feel as though it automatically reduces the credibility of any information presented in said blog, and to that end I will be referring to this running commentary as an Electronic Information Board, or EIB.

Now that we have the housekeeping notes in order, on to the introduction.  This EIB will be dedicated to random musings on the mass media of today, and how it effects various issues in the political realm.  While it may not be the opening topic of your Saturday night dinner or the quickest way to obtain a date for that upcoming high school reunion, this subject warrants a certain degree of attention in all of our lives.  Whether you are actively involved in politics, just interested in politics, or simply choose to ignore it all, you are still affected by what goes on around you.  For this simple reason it behooves us to remain educated in the the daunting worlds of both domestic and foreign politics.  But how do we stay up to date on such a diverse and dynamic topic?  What sources do we draw on for pertinent information from which to form our own opinions?  These are the questions that introduce the mass media into our equation.

Through this EIB I will post content related to the intersections of mass media and politics; sometimes relevant, sometimes comical, but generally good to know.  I hope that you will enjoy the information gathered for your reading or viewing pleasure, but more importantly I hope that we all learn about the inseparable nature of media and politics.

OH! I promised you and icebreaker.  It's Media!

Enjoy your stay.