American Anchor Quits Al Jazeera, Citing Too Much Control From Qatar

New York Times/TV Decoder:

Dave Marash, the most prominent American anchor on Al Jazeera English, has quit the 24-hour news channel, citing an increased amount of editorial control exercised by the channel's headquarters in Doha, Qatar.

"To put it bluntly, the channel that's on now -- while excellent, and I plan to be a lifetime viewer -- is not the channel that I signed up to do," Mr. Marash, a former "Nightline" correspondent, said in his first interview since his departure was reported by The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday.

Not that most Americans would notice: although Al Jazeera English is available to everyone on YouTube, so far it has been unable to secure cable distribution in the United States.

He called his time at Al Jazeera English "very, very satisfying," but said that the editorial direction had shifted during his time there.

Read the whole story: New York Times/TV Decoder

Comments

[DesertLight]

This is no different than CNN and MSNBC being the mouthpiece for the DNC.

[Durango]

Wow, any deviaiton from the Corporate spin and Al Jazeera is a tool of Bin Ladin?

So much for diversity of opinion. Can't imagine how anyone could possibly have a different perspective? Maybe because you live in the region, understand the language, grew up in the culture?

Americans don't have a lock on truth, something far too many Americans don't understand apparently. I haven't watch Al Jazeera, for the above reasons. but when I have gone to their website it seemed pretty mainstream.

And when was the last time you heard of an American anchor resigning in protest because of too much corporate control. I can't seem to remember a SINGLE instance!

[marko77]

I've never liked Al Jazeera ("The Jackal"), because they serve as a mouthpiece for Bin Laden and his fundamentalist, extremist, wacked out goons. Sorry, but I have no resect for serial and spree killers in any way, shape, or form.

Charlie Manson is a nut case, but Bin Laden is far worse because he's had a hand in many more civilian deaths and thinks he's pleasing God - how sick is that! And just like Charlie, he always puts the blame elsewhere as he smirks and justifies his blood lust.

As long as the people at Al Jazeera swoon over Bin Laden, just as the German people did over Hitler, I'll contine to think they have shit for brains.

[MagisterLudi]

No kidding, Al Jazeera is Fox News and Huffington Post hybrid: rabid demonization of enemies, foreign and domestic liberally ( pun intended) smothered in extremely biased opinion hatchet jobs.

[noamjunior]

too bad Fox News Anchors don't have a similar conscience and resign because of too much editorial control from Australia and Hell.

[commentguy1234]

ZOMG! The Fox News of Terrorists slanting their news?! Where's Keith when you need him?