Israel restrictions on al-Jazeera

[subsuelo]

Israeli officials say they are taking measures to restrict the work of the Arabic television network, al-Jazeera, inside Israel.

The work visas of some al-Jazeera employees based in Israel will not be renewed, according to reports.
Al-Jazeera's journalists will have limited access to Israeli news conferences and briefings.

Israeli officials were fiercely critical of al-Jazeera's coverage of the conflict in Gaza, accusing it of being a mouthpiece for the militant Islamist movement, Hamas.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7867167.stm">BBC - read more

[bunnies]

1. So only pro-Israel reporting will be allowed?!

Ironic. Sounds like something Iran would do.

[madrchsod]

2. they should realize they can not suppress the truth

but then again they have forgotten a lot

[azurnoir]

3. But Israel says "its their own fault"

Israel may well be able to restrict what gets reported from inside Israel but to truly restrict access to the truth they would have to also restrict access to outside news sources ala China something I am not to sure they would at this point.

[MUAD_DIB]

4. To be fair the article also says this...

Israeli officials say they are taking measures to restrict the work of the Arabic television network, al-Jazeera, inside Israel.

"It follows a decision last month by al-Jazeera's owners, the state of Qatar, to cut trade ties with Israel."



Now if Israel is curtailing all negative news about what is happening in Gaza then you could argue that they are suppressing the truth, but this sounds more like tit-for-tat politics.

[Turborama]

5. Does this mean they won't be able to report from Gaza and/or the West Bank? n/t

[MUAD_DIB]

6. I don't know. Since Israel controls access to Gaza

and large parts (if not all in reality) of the WB then they (AJ) probably won't be allowed to report there.

[Turborama]

7. AJ English had the only reporters in Gaza during the recent military assault

Let's hope other news agencies that are now in Gaza stay there, otherwise it'll be a total news vacuum...



AJ English can be watched live 24/7 for free here:

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

and here (better quality picture)

http://www.livestation.com/channels/3-al_jazeera_english


(edit to add links)

[oberliner]

8. Not true

Numerous news agencies had reporters direct from Gaza.

[Turborama]

9. I'm talking about television - specifically

[Turborama]

10. Al Jazeera English have unrestricted access to report the election in Israel links above