This documentary is important simply because few Americans are exposed to how others see us. The question of whether Al Jezeera is "biased," or simply biased in a way that's different than US news outlets, is secondary, although the film faces the issue head on.
In part, this is a documentary about a group of clearly intelligent people, with a world view different than that of the US government, developing a news service in a culture which did not have anything similar up to now. It is also a look at how others see the war in Iraq and how the US military handles the news media. Contrary to the views of some folks who might judge the film without actually seeing it, one of the most interesting people in the film is a Marine public information officer who shows himself to be bright, thoughtful and complex in his handling of the issues he must respond to.
Most viewers will not share the views of some of the Al Jezeera commentators, but they come across not as demons, but as intelligent, thoughtful people with a different perspective, not as agents of terrorism. They are people and perspectives we would do well to understand better than we do today.
In part, this is a documentary about a group of clearly intelligent people, with a world view different than that of the US government, developing a news service in a culture which did not have anything similar up to now. It is also a look at how others see the war in Iraq and how the US military handles the news media. Contrary to the views of some folks who might judge the film without actually seeing it, one of the most interesting people in the film is a Marine public information officer who shows himself to be bright, thoughtful and complex in his handling of the issues he must respond to.
Most viewers will not share the views of some of the Al Jezeera commentators, but they come across not as demons, but as intelligent, thoughtful people with a different perspective, not as agents of terrorism. They are people and perspectives we would do well to understand better than we do today.