Control Room (2004)

February 29, 2024 10:09 AM

[TRAILER] A behind-the-scenes look at the operations of Al-Jazeera -- the most prominent television news network in the Arab world -- during the war in Iraq. Through interviews with American journalists, journalists reporting for Al-Jazeera, and high-ranking U.S. military officials, the film explores the nature of media bias, Al-Jazeera's relationship with the Arab community and the network's perception in the Western world.

Directed by Jehane Noujaim. Produced by Hani Salama, Rosadel Varela for Noujaim Films/Magnolia. Written by Julia Bacha, Jehane Noujaim.

95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Max, Kanopy. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (1 comment total)

All Americans should watch Al Jazeera English at least some of the time. And I don't say that because they're amazingly better than US news stations (although sometimes they are) or because they have their own equally destructive biases that it is instructive to observe (although sometimes they do).

I think Americans should watch Al Jazeera English because they should take in what a corporate-owned, profit-seeking media operation looks like when it targets different primarily middle class and affluent people.

When they machine isn't doing its work specifically on you, it's a lot easier to see the gears move and hear the engine groan.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:54 AM on March 1 [4 favorites]