Sara Ferne/The LanternAl Jazeera English, the third-largest English language international news network, came to Eddie George's Grill 27 Tuesday. The network hosted a panel of Ohio State students, who watched and discussed the second debate between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain.
"Our audience is incredibly interested in the U.S. presidential election," said Mariam Simpson, the Al Jazeera English producer who coordinated the event in Columbus. "They want to hear what's on the minds of voters in this country as we approach election day."
The broadcast featured two panels of three students that represented the spectrum of political opinion on campus. An Obama supporter, a McCain supporter and a libertarian participated in the first panel. The second consisted of an Obama supporter, a McCain supporter and an undecided voter.
"It's as close to the views of the average American that you can get," said Mike Kirsch, the Al Jazeera English correspondent hosting the forum. "We're not listening to the pundits, but learning from the actual voters."
The panelists discussed the candidates and the issues live before and after the debate. The student panelists watched coverage of the debate in the VIP room of the bar and grill. The candidates, speaking from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., addressed questions from a live audience of voters in a town hall style debate. Although both candidates sought to win over voters from their opponent, the debate did not change the views of Al Jazeera's panel.
"I heard what I needed to hear," said J.D. Hamel, a senior in political science and philosophy, after the debate. A staunch McCain supporter, Hamel said the Arizona senator's "political courage" had earned him his support, but wished McCain would have "made more of a distinction (from Obama) on big picture, philosophical issues."
Brian Chorley, a graduate student in political science, agreed with Obama's points on reforming health care, which the Illinois senator described as a right, not a matter of personal responsibility.
2008 Woodie Awards
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 10
RUKidding me
posted 10/09/08 @ 1:54 AM EST
Al Jazeera?! Ha! I guess it's no different than CNN or MSNBC (see Liberal venom spewing Keith Olbermann) I mean all 3 Networks hate the U.S., and would love to see Osama, uh I mean Obama, win the election. (Continued…)
Are you serious?
posted 10/09/08 @ 9:08 AM EST
Seriously? Al Jazeera. Seriously? I bet their audience is interested in our election! Seriously!
SAS
posted 10/09/08 @ 2:30 PM EST
Al Jazeera English has a very strong journalistic product and its journalists routinely do documentaries and news stories that educate and inform their international audience about US affairs. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 10/09/08 @ 4:37 PM EST
Al Jazeera was here and they didn't behead our Heartland Voters one by one for propaganda purposes? Those guys are either slacking or really complacent these days. (Continued…)
Amanda
posted 10/09/08 @ 11:13 PM EST
Don't be so ignorant...how many of you have ever watched Al Jazeera English? It is the most objective news outlet I've ever seen, far better that any American-based network (although they do have a major office in DC. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 10/15/08 @ 1:23 PM EST
Here's an interesting clip from al-Jazeera in Ohio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqcfqiXCX0
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