I24

Apparently a new 24 hour international news channel is about to launch. The channel is allegedly owned entirely by a a French businessman who is Jewish but it looks like it will have the backing of the Israeli government - in the style of Al Jazeera with Qatar - and be broadcast from Tel Aviv. It's going to broadcast in English, French and Arabic.

There isn't much information online at all other than this website... [Mod Edit: Removed] and a few articles here and there - some saying it will launch on July 1st!

Does anyone know anything more about it? I'm assuming we'll see, at least, a Sky launch in the UK.

Should be interesting. If I remember correctly, Russia Today's launch was very low key but it's quickly turning into a major global news force.

It's going to be interesting to see how this will turn out -- and how the channel will shape its coverage of Middle Eastern issues. Will it tow the Israeli government line or will it be eager to display its journalistic independence (and thereby demonstrate the freedom of Israel-based media)? In any case, its perspective will surely be interesting.

Not all news channels offering alternative viewpoints get to become hugely influential. I remember that France 24 in particular was much ballyhooed as a major undertaking ("a French CNN") that would bring a fresh, French perspective on world events to a global audience, but I don't think it has ever really made major journalistic waves. France 24 turned out to be more like Germany's DW-TV -- perfectly competent but limited in both scope and budget -- than Al Jazeera, which has grown to be a globally influential journalistic outlet.

I think that's the first time I've ever heard RT described like that. Most people I know think it's the home of news for conspiracy theorists, weirdos and people who want the Russian state line on things rather than a reliable authoritative news source.

I'm confused, this was locked and the member was banned. What happened?

The user works for a PR company but assured us this was a genuine question, and just happened to use his work account.

Ah, that explains it then.

Nail on the head. AJE is a great product with heaps of resources behind it, a unique editorial voice and vibrant programming. I watched a wonderful documentary/drama last night about a Turkish lad moving to Istanbul to become the best "baklava" master - it was sweet and insightful. The short series Citizen or Stranger has been excellent as well. And it has more depth when dealing with Africa, the Middle East and even South America - where most British media is at sea - than any other 24 hour global English news channel.

AJE shows you can't just launch a TV channel and hope people turn over to watch it. It needs a good basis, a good culture with decent resources. "Expressing a viewpoint" from a government or a nation is not enough of a foundation to build a channel that anyone wants to watch. It's like the shortwave stations of old - the BBC was popular because provided reliable and objective news. Voice of America was hated because it told its audience what to think.

One immediate problem with a channel based in Israel is that it will be subject to military censorship over the activities of the IDF.

More details: http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/move-over-al-jazeera-israel-s-own-24-hour-tv-news-station-is-about-to-go-live.premium-1.532086

I agree RT doesn't have a credible reputation. I guess what I was trying to say was that it is now a household name. Having seen some previews, my fear is I24 is going to go down the France24 route. The set looks very similar.

Much like Al Jazeera and Press TV then.

I'm more familiar with AJ Balkans than AJ English, but neither channel strikes me as an outlet for weirdos and conspiracy theorists. While they are certainly alternative news outlets, with a certain view of the world that that implies, most of their output seems journalistically rigorous and their guests, far from being anti-Western extremists, are usually reasonable and insightful. On the other hand, from what I've read, AJ Arabic often doesn't live up to the journalistic standards of its international versions, and has resorted to spreading conspiracy theories in the past -- or at least not challenging them when they were expressed on the air.

but frankly, this leaves a question of saturation of market... so many news channels popping up whether it is regional or national, saying that they are offering a "different perspective" to viewers, but aren't there too many news channels already?

... and too much information?