Al-Jazeera is a tool for dialogue in spite of the negative and sometimes hateful messages of some of its guests; barring it from cable services violates Canadian core values of freedom of thought and speech

MAZEN CHOUAIB, The Montreal Gazette - Mai 2, 2003

The Canadian Jewish Congress argues that the Al-Jazeera TV service should not be allowed access to the Canadian market, because it "offers programming that is virulently anti-Semitic and racist, and likely to contravene Canadian law."

In an article on this page (Opinion, April 24, ''Hate, lies and videotape,'') two CJC leaders cited a number of despicable statements made by guests of Al-Jazeera, statements no sensible person accepts or condones.

But there are good reasons for allowing Al-Jazeera into Canadian homes, especially since Al-Jazeera will be broadcasting in English in a couple of years. Canadians should be allowed to decide for themselves if a channel is worth watching. Market forces should determine if carrying Al-Jazeera is viable. And there's certainly a market for Al-Jazeera in Canada.

No sensible Canadian agrees with any form of hate dissemination aimed at any group. We will not accept it from anyone, and it should be condemned in the strongest terms. However, Canadians have the right to information.

Keeping Al-Jazeera out of Canada would have the consequence of suppressing information about the effects of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. Opposition to Al-Jazeera's presence undermines Canadian core values of freedom of thought and speech in censoring reports of the effects of Israeli occupation: the demolition of homes, the pressure of curfews that curtail life and, most of all, the killing of innocent civilians. Access to Al-Jazeera is a threat to the image of Israel.

To millions around the globe, Al-Jazeera is a tool for dialogue in spite of the sometimes negative and hateful messages of some of its guests. Witness the Israeli officials, Jewish leaders, U.S. administration officials and liberal Arabs who use the network to articulate their opinions.

On April 28, Al-Jazeera and Doha TV broadcast a speech by the president of the United States to a cheering crowd of Arab-Americans from Michigan. The impact of this display of Arab-American solidarity with their president is a strong message that, absent Al-Jazeera, would never have reached its intended audience: Arabs around the world. The U.S. government is cognizant of Al-Jazeera's reach.

There are those in the Arab world who criticize the network for its even-handed treatment of crucial issues. The Bahraini minister of information has called Al-Jazeera a "devilish Zionist plant in our midst."

In many instances, the network's attempt to show both sides of an issue run contrary to the confines of "acceptable" debate set by some Arab governments. Examples abound of the harsh treatment of Al-Jazeera reporters and staff by these very governments.

Israel, for example, allows access to the broadcasts while the Palestinian Authority imprisons Al-Jazeera reporters and tries to influence the station's editorial content. Some Arab governments make every effort to ban Al-Jazeera and other independent media.

It is insulting to our intelligence to propose banning Al-Jazeera because it broadcasts tapes and videos attributed to Osama bin Laden. How else can we start to learn the truth about these terrorists and criminals, who refuse to reach out to other media? How else are experts expected to continue examining the threat they pose to peaceful societies?

I and others strongly disagree with some of Al-Jazeera's reporting and some choices of guest speakers in debates. But Al-Jazeera has certainly had a revolutionary effect on other Arab television and radio stations. Many are emulating its style and its practice of presenting different views and opinions.

Keeping Al-Jazeera from the Canadian market would serve extremists, alienate moderates, and deal a blow to our collective freedoms.