Good posts. Now that's a model for discussion.

Personally I belive that Al-Jazeera can really make a difference in the Middle East because it is much more liberal in what it airs than the state owned TV. Most countries in the Middle East have state owned TV which just airs streams after streasm of absolute BS propaganda. In this way Al-Jazeera is unique in that they air stuff agaionst their own government. They have had more trouble in their home turf of Qatar than anywhere else for criticsing the government. All the government sin the Middle East would prefer if their journalists did not visit their countries but they can't do much to stop them since they have such a latge audience. I think it's a good thing that at least there is one independent channel which airs what they want to rather than tow the government lines. freedom of the press is very limited in the Middle East and channels like this can pave the way for greater news independence.