Lisa vs. Al-Jazeera

Canadian-Israeli journalist and blogger Lisa Goldman’s challenge to Al-Jazeera ought to be read by journalists everywhere – but maybe Norwegian colleagues especially. That’s because Al-Jazeera has such a phenomenally good image here. It is seen by many as the heroic channel that brought non-censored free speech to the Arab world (and to the rest of the world via its English channel), and challenged the media dominance of the “North” (or “West”?). An example is this lead article from a major newspaper (in Norwegian). Lisa’s story isn’t actually breaking news on the world stage, but blinded by ideology – what else could it be – Al Jazeera isn’t able to get even the simplest facts straight. You also have to admire the elegant delivery of the challenge – now will the celebrated Arab channel produce a correspondent to check Lisa’s coffee brewing skills?:

The bureau chief in Ramallah has my mobile number. Call him and ask him to set up an interview, and send one of your stringers to my home. I’ll even make him a nice cup of coffee, using the delicious Cafe Najjar (with or without cardamon – I’ll let you choose) that I bought at duty free before I boarded my flight to Amman.

The Hezbollah channel Al Manar, by the way, called Lisa a Zionist spy, but from that corner I don’t think anybody would expect fair journalism…