• by John Gaffney , March 26, 2003

Stock The Casbah: Al Jazeera, the Arabic media news organization, put up an English language website yesterday. I doubt they were looking to increase their reach and frequency in America. I saw it for about ten minutes. It didn't look too professional. It definitely betrayed an anti-American bias with quotes around phrases like "smart bombs." However, it made an attempt to cover the Iraqi conflict from an Arab point of view. Then it was hacked. Then the New York Stock Exchange barred it from its computers. I'm all about supporting the troops overseas. But why should we shut out Arab media? First of all, it has a right to exist. Second, Al Jazeera is tame compared to other Islamic sites. I think we should appreciate Al Jazeera for what it is: the Arab viewpoint. I don't agree with that viewpoint, but someday the Arab world and the western societies will not be at odds like they are now. But as long as we're at war, it will be taken as such. But I like what Don Corleone said in The Godfather: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

A Gentleman And A Scholar: Jim Nelson, who is the new editor of GQ, told The New York Daily News that he will not take his magazine down the road of boobs, beers and spring break. Thank you, Mr. Nelson. A men's magazine who won't do that in this market understands the importance of differentiation. You have to respect Conde Nast for promoting from within, and for holding the reins on GQ.

Last Call: CNN's decision to drop Connie Chung has less to do with the quality of her show than it has to do with thinning the amount of non-news fodder aired between 7 and 10. More cuts like this will follow, I believe.