France 24… ‘new media’ News broadcasting?

Global news is really taking off, much to my surprise we now have a second non-anglo centric view of the world… within one month, France 24 (en anglias) rumoured to be a reactive idea by President Jacque Chirac following the Anglo intervention in Iraq, was launched on 6th December!

To quote President Chirac, France “must be at the forefront of the global battle of images, that’s why I am resolved that our country should have an international news channel” BBC

Published in French, English and Arabic it will hopefully prove to be yet another voice, view and analysis of world events, along with Al Jazeera, BBC and CNN. Available across Europe, Middle East, Africa and North America some of us are unfortunately unable to view the channel. Early suggestions implied that France 24 would operate its broadcast News channel over the internet. Sadly this is not yet the case, the online version appears to be focused on enabling access to broadcast content, but of course does not yet have the back up of a comprehensive depth of audio, video and text data. The unofficial weblog appears to be a great location for information and comment.

Lets hope the unconventional site structure is a hint of things to come… the tag cloud, journalists blogs… just imagine a conventional broadcaster establishing a News wiki including audio and video. It is already far ahead of Al Jazeera which hasn’t organised downloads yet! It may not be so far fetched after all France 24 would gain from developing a radically different media model. As a rarity the government appointed Chariman is a self made communications and advertising man, Alain de Poulzilhac , no énarque here … “Vive la France Libre”.

Perhaps I shouldn’t get too carried away, a ‘new media’ approach by staid old broadcasting, not yet. Also the énarque appear to have generally lost their shine as Chirac hands the batton to Nicholas Sarkozy. However I am an optimist, Richard Porter of the BBC reports Iran’s interest in an English 24 hour News channel called The Press.

Just perhaps France 24 will bring a fresh approach together with its competition for our valuable time and attention? If not maybe we can look to the Iranians or one of the Anglo channels to take the next step and bring participatory new media, encompassing the views of millions, to us where, when and as we want it, whether by cell, broadband, cable or satellite… “plus ca change!”

Al Jazeera – English channel goes live!

Curiously I have only just discovered that on November 15th, just after its 10th Aniversary on November 1st, Al Jazeera has launched its English News Channel.

Aiming to be the channel of reference for Middle East events, Al Jazeera also has broadcast centres Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington.

For the first time this creates a genuinely different view to the US and UK ‘Anglo’ centric opinions on world developments, clearly an event to celebrate. Why is it that this slipped out unnoticed and celebrated? Or maybe this should be no surprise, perhaps conventional channels, cable companies, satellite providers have shun Al Jazeera for political reasons?. The BBC covered it like any other story but with no fanfare, but it does recommend the Al Jezeera English channel as an in depth news source, often it was cast as an unremarkable and bias start. Of course Al Jazeera is not popular with leaders across the Middle East, but despite that Israel plans to have it up and running soon, and Friends of al Jazeera blog gives some interesting perspectives. However I have never been big on conspiracy theory, surely the delay is simply teething troubles while channel agreements are put in place.

Since I am in Brazil and unable to see the channel, I assumed Al Jazeera would be pushing its content online, sadly the only option for viewing (that functioned) included a 99cent charge to watch! no video podcast available yet. I did find a clip of the english channel from a staff blog don’tbomb from Dec 2005. Lets hope Al Jazeera organises all of its channels to market sharpish so they can become another informed opinion and voice available globally!

Alive in Baghdad … witness awarded!

Video Blogging or Vlogging is, as it sounds, regular posts of video’s from bloggers. Scobelizer and John Furrier amoungst others report on the Vloggies…. Yes you guessed it an annual award show. Highly deserved the Best Vlog went to Alive in Baghdad along with three other awards Best Group Vlog, Political Vlog, Favourite interview Vlog! New world journalists in Baghdad who report on daily life and challenges.

One of the first podcasts that I subscribed to on my return to the connected world (after Kabul), Alive in Baghdad is intense, real-life and scarey. During the First Gulf War depleted uranium affects on health came to the for, how many of us are aware that today the grotesque disfiguration of iraqi’s due to depleated uranium is now common place. Highlighting the daily challenges of people trying to live a normal day to day life. Such as ‘disappearence’ from a line to collect fuel at the petrol station. The impact of minor injury on a families survival. The need for middle class and poor to set up neighbourhood watch “vigilante” groups. Alive in Baghdad place this all on your screen in full lurid colour.

As we all witness Iraq lurching through one crisis after another it is important we all witness the daily impact on people, who a short while ago lived daily life like us! After all regime change has been foistered on this country in our name. We are currently witnessing only the first step in a change process that is likely continue in fits and starts for a decade or more.

History illustrates how countries typically stagger through a whole host of upheavals as they shift from a State controlled from the top to a Nation of citizens. Many countries have seen huge displacements of population and dramatic changes in national boundaries as they underwent this change. The inter-ethnic strife and political activism suggest that Iraq has just started on this path.

Alive in Baghdad provides a small window on the past, present and future. It is a fantastic example of new participatory media and will no doubt provide evidence for future generations to reflect, learn and hopefully advance transitional justice!

“A day in the life” … … … Sidney to Syria … Part III

“I got a ticket to ride”

Finale…. Part III of III … “A day in the life” … by A. Logistician

Day 2

After a good nights sleep I woke up refreshed and ready to go exploring again. Remembering the words of the driver, I decided not to get any maps of the place or things that would have Hebrew markings on them. I set off to find new adventures, Knowing already where Jaffa Gate was, I was off in a different direction. I walked down towards the west bank and suddenly there was a Japanese tourist with a Guide Book. So I did what anyone would have done and followed him. He had the guide book and looked like he knew where he was going.

It however appears that he was only looking for the bus terminal, and now we both know where it is. A lovely place – Not. I did find the Garden Tomb – whatever that is, but it was closed on a Sunday. Which seems strange because they hold services there. Back into the Old City again looking for whatever. I walked around and around and somehow managed to come out of the same gate that I walked into. Success. I managed not to get lost this time.

Back to the Hotel and a bit of exploring in the room. As you do most people look in all of the drawers to see what’s in there and what’s been left behind. Well I do any way. Imagine my amazement when I found a bible. Not the old and new testament, just the new testament. It seemed a little strange to me that the home of Judaism and all I find is a New testament Bible. I now use it a travel guide. The places are still there, it is just a little bit harder to find map references. Ruth ch1 v16 doesn’t appear very often in many places of interest.

Day 3 – 6:

I checked in to the mission and spent most of my time in new comers briefings and security briefs. There is a lot more going on than what you first think. There is always that uncomfortable feeling that something is going to happen.

Those that have been following the news in the passed few days know that, that uncomfortable feeling has come to fruition.

It is now the weekend again and I have been here a week. It has been a week of high adventure and higher drama. I don’t know if at this time if I will be going to Syria on Wednesday or if I will have to stay here for awhile longer. It all depends on the activities in the next few days and if there is a cease fire. The firing so far has not reached Syria, but there have been rocker attacks on Tiberius (In the North) I have to drive through there so at the moment the UN is deciding if they will allow travel.

I will try and write more when and if I am allowed. I have had a briefing about Syria and there seems to be a lot of things that you can not do. Taking pictures is one of them. The Syrian authorities seem to take a dim view of people taking pic’s
all over the place.

You can however buy an official CD with pictures on them. Not sort of what I was expecting. It also appears that all emails are monitored, so I will have to watch what I say and do, and the killer is that I am only allowed to travel within a 40km radius from the city, unless I get UN and ministry approval. Not that easy to do. So bit by bit I will try and let you know how I am going and what I am up to.

Our intrepid Logistician is currently in Damascus, we await news!

“It’s been a hard days night” … … … Sydney to Syria, Part II

“I got a ticket to ride”

Part II of III … “It’s been a hard days night” … by A. Logistician

Arriving at Tel Aviv airport is nothing spectacular, just another airport with funny writing. Following the crowd, I made it to passport control. Choosing the right line is important, and like most of us that have been in a supermarket. I picked the wrong line. I watched as each line around me got smaller and smaller, while the one that I was in hardly moved. There was a point in time that I thought my visa may expire before I was processed, but eventually the person in the booth that was checking passports, must have been given a jolt from a cattle prod and things began to move a little quicker. After I got through I didn’t give a damn about the others.

Out of passport control and into baggage collection. Surprise, surprise for once my luggage and I arrived in the same place at the same time. The down side was that my bag had its zip broken, but a small price to pay. In fact I felt like doing a lap of honour. Maybe it was the people standing around with guns that put me off.

A driver met me at the airport collection point and drove me to Jerusalem. I was amazed that it wasn’t that far really. Only about 30 minutes. We arrived in Jerusalem, and I was dropped at my hotel. OK it was the YMCA but close enough to a hotel (No I haven’t joined the Village people… yet).

On the journey my driver was more than helpful, telling me all about the place and also told me that since as I was going to Syria, don’t buy anything that is remotely related to Israel, as it will be confiscated and I may be detained. Welcome to the Middle East.

I am staying within walking distance from the Old City of Jerusalem. Now this is a place that I have always wanted to visit, ever since my younger days, as a boy in short pants at Sunday school (To all of you that sniggered about the Sunday school comment – shame on you). I checked in, found the room – it’s not that bad.

I had arrived on the Sabbath (see I am picking up the local language) so there was not a lot open. After a quick shower, a change of clothes (Shorts and a tee shirt….thank God for warm weather) I walked down to reception and asked for directions to the old city.

17:00 hrs. Directions firmly in my head. Turn right at the lights from King David street, and head towards Jaffa gate. I had no idea what a Jaffa gate was, nor was I inclined to ask. But putting one foot in front of the other, I set off. I walked down the road, turned left, turned around and then when right. Past the temple of David (which in fact turned out to be a hotel) and went straight on. I saw a sign that said Jaffa gate, and kept on walking. After about 30 minutes of walking, I turned around because I had obviously missed the place. All I could see was this big wall on my left hand side. You guessed it, that was that old city. Frustrated, I crossed the road and decided that I would follow the wall to see where it would take me. Low and behold, I arrived at Jaffa gate.

Now to clarify what I mean by Jaffa gate, apparently there were 7 entrances to Old Jerusalem. Jaffa Gate, Damascus Gate, Lion Gate, Zion Gate, Herod’s Gate, New Gate and the best of all Dung Gate ( I kid you not).

18:00 hrs. So there I am at Jaffa Gate, all I see before me is 1) a street full of shops and 2) Tourist trap. I has only just got into the place before I was approached by one of the vendors who asked me if ” he could rip me off” His words not mine. I loved it. I had to smile at this guys honesty.

18:15. I am now officially lost in the old city. For those that know me well enough, you have to realise that I has the sense of direction like a cat caught in the spin cycle of a washing machine. It is amazing that all of the people that I had passed that invited me into their store suddenly didn’t speak a word of English. Back tracking, and after many false starts, I found my way back to the beginning.

In Part III “A day in the life” – our intrepid logistician waits to enter Syria!

Al Jazeera – Happy 10th Birthday

We are all familiar with the controversial nature of Al Jazeera, its root in the BBC Arabic service, its base in Qatar and the very public view they place on TV News in Arabic countries, much to the consternation of most governments in the region.

Are you aware of AlJazeera.net their popular online Arabic service started in 2001 had 161million visits in 2002! For a different view point the English language AlJazeera.net is a must view for anyone in the Middle East.

Lets hope their traditional TV News service is soon available in English.