Has Al Jazeera English turned anti-western?

This thread has been abandoned quite time ago... What is the current situation at Al Jazeera?

S.

i agree with you.  It happens everywhere if you let it.  Walk away if need be.  Don't blame others for the choice of staying in such a position. Racism, whining, etc. doesn't help any situation.  Move on to bigger and better things "if you will".

I'm just coming out of a tremendous experience with AJE. I'm a freelancer. For years I've been working with channels from all over the world but never, ever I've been treated the way in which AJE has done.I've been contacted to provide a freelance job. I did it and I think I've done it well and in time. However when it came to the payment, the nightmare started: for weeks I've been promissed that the payment will be processed tomorrow, next week, in 2 weeks etc. I had to run after the money I've worked for, writing emails, calling...begging?! Yeah, I think that at one point they make you look completely stupid and miserable! Finally, one beautiful morning, after 2 months of fight and struggle, the money have arrived. Well, it was not the entire sum they've owned me, but...hey, for me as a freelancer 20 euros...doesn't matter! And with the money, a certain Mr Muhammed, demonstrating to the whole AJ how this bloody freelancer is completely mad: he was perfectly in time with the payment! Well, this was my second experience of this kind. It happened already, but in the first place I thought that I was just a very unlucky freelancer as the person who was dealing with my payment has left to the Meque and so my payment had to wait the return. It was my fault, certainly my fault, I should of thought about it and send it before. The second time I was also naive: I forgot about Easter! I wish I would be jocking but I'm not, unfortunately. I was told that there was an extra delay in my payment due to the ...Easter holliday. In my desperation I wrote to a manager, the highest I could find on AJE site. I was saying to myself: he is an experienced guy, he comes from AJ arabic, so he might know how to handle the situation...He replied to me immediately, so suddenly I felt lucky! Well, it didn't last as when I opened my email the tone was straight...so straight: "I think you came to the wrong person." "Sorry Sir, indeed, I think I came to the wrong...channel".It seems that the whole scenario was quite the same for another crew, somewhere in Europe...ALJAZEERAJ - I wish you all the best, I do understand so well what you've been through. Me I'm a freelancer, they've done it once, twice...that's it, I'll never accept to work for them again. But in your case, your 3 children and everything you've left behind...it is not fare! I use to watch AJE everyday, and I've loved the way the news where chosen, the perspective and I was thinking: this is the way journalism should be! That was a few months ago.  

SKDK..What ever is ur F... Abbrevation.... U know some thing abt Technology which in ur head is? I dont think SO... Let it be Indians/Pakistanis or Westerners... U fools we r leaving here in Doha... Expenses are in Doha.. If u Kindly look in to the economy... India is emerging economies in the world.. what do u think.. expenses are the low in home... No it is not.. IF v pay 1's here v are paying 10's in india... So U f'nkg Idiot, dont try to convert and piss in ur pants and be surprised what we get after conversion...

And u r talking something abt Technology... US is Running its new technology with the Expatriate Community ONLY....and if u dont know, then just keep ur mouth shut....

NASA alone has 30% of Indian Professionals working there... Do U think with out it US will survive its So called NASA.....\

Think if u feel offended F OFF...

nadia, try this link...

http://www.diwan.gov.qa/english/the_amir/default.htm

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]

_______________________________________________________

Love is the answer...

Bajesus

could you let us know where the thread is with the emails of complaint to the Emir?

Thanks

lol missmoney :)

Don't worry , I undesratand, but I try to avoid stereotyping and overgeneralizations:)

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

Hi there,

Yes, I agree leaving is not always the answer. Its sad though that in some cases its the only option a person is left with. Many people would want to stick it out at a company that was struggling if they believed that things really were being done to improve it, and if they believed that the company wasn't struggling because its corrupt.

frog, as for Qataris and laziness, I can't speak for all of them, just the ones I work with...and I'm too pathetically paranoid to express my personal experience of their work ethic on this site.

xmp

Xena,

Let's hope there will be no NOC in few years Inchallah.

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

not that easy just to leave... especially when you love the country and the people.... so you just have to grin and bear it until your contract is up, or you are lucky enough to get and NOC...

Sure - happened to me!

so why should Al Jazeera be that different?

Salam Xena :)

"It seems to happen in most places.... promise you one thing and when you get here... your package is entirely different.. or gets changed as you go along..."

--------------------> and when those people complain about that there are some ( even on QL) who would tell them "if you don't like it just leave" I don't think it's that easy . Do you ?

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

I think I did say in my last post that I was only making a suggestion and then the link Knox threw up seemed similar to what I summised.

You will notice I have already apologised to aljazeeraj for 'jumping the gun'. In fact my very first post was one of concern that someone from his company may read his comment and identify him.

Incidentally, last job I had in UK promised me (in writing) a pay increase after first 3 months. It was the provision on which I based my acceptance of the employment as well they knew. However, when the time came they turned round and said 'sorry - we can't afford it'.

In other words I had to like it or lump it. So I DO have some sympathy because I was seething over that blatant breach of contract the entire time I worked for that company. The sum involved, unfortunately, wasn't worth the cost of a Civil Action.

was wondering the same thing... Cut the employee benefits and pocketing the money.... sounds about right...

Jauntie.... not to be condecending or anything, but you don't work in any of these media organisations, so you are not aware of how things actually work... Al Jazeera is not the only media institution that has "bad" management...

It seems to happen in most places.... promise you one thing and when you get here... your package is entirely different.. or gets changed as you go along...

I sympathise aljazeeraj...

Me first:) I never met jauntie before , but I don't think she's that kind of person. It's sincere.

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

and, of course, I don't know the circumstances and only read the article Knox linked, so I apologise if I was out of order.

However, I think many on here will vouch for the fact that I am definitely NOT the type of person you seem to think I am.

" aljazeeraj said:

You come across as being a very bitter, jealous person Jauntie...."

That statement actually made me smile!

PM,

First,

I never said that they're lazy and uncaring in that litteral sense you want to convey. I blamed the educational system for not motivating them enough. Maybe my comments would contribute to alert the concerned officials and then they may make good and hard working employees out of those pupils. I also said that this is a shame to be concerned with a result-centred policy and engage some weak students in that international competition. I still have the same opinion about immigration and sponsorship lawas here in Qatar or in all Gulf countries: These are "slavery" laws that shoudl be updated and entrepreneurs here should realise that someone who is forced to work for a company will never contribute to the flourishement of that firm. I hope I'm making my thoughts consistent enough for you now to get my point.

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

PM,

I'm afraid you're mixing things . On that thread I was talking about Secondary students who are not mature enough to see that they really need to pursue their studies and get their diploma. On this thread we're talking about employees. However, I'm not one of ALjazeera stuff , and I have no informations about how qualified are those Qatari stuff. I just wanted to draw ALjazeerai's attention to the fact that talking so negatively about Qatari employees would not really help in exposing the subject publicly and solving people's problems there. This will only divide opinions and rise hatred among people that have the same demands.

I think my opinion was not that different from yours ?

"I just don't think it is a clear case of being motivated by anti-Western sentiment." I hope you'll open your mind and get rid of prejudices.

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

I should say that I'm a bit confused now that I have read articles criticizing Al Jazeera on Qatari newspapers. Al Jazeerai is complaining about the way Westerners are treated and how Qatari stuff are given more favors.

"Is this a conspiracy to get rid of the westerners I wonder? Override the company with Qatari’s who of late have been employed, and then leave/get fired, as they are unable to do our workload from lack of skills and laziness." ( how can you expect Qataris supporting your cause after you judging them as lacking skills and lazy??)

On the other hand, Qatari Journalists are complaining about the way Qatari stuff are treated and how they're excluded from all key positions( "Who knows, maybe in 2020, with the approach of the channel's silver anniversary, a Qatari broadcaster will [finally] be given an opportunity to present the news. Then we will hold mass festivities at [Qatar's] seaside promenade to mark the historic occasion... ") .....

and the terrible lack of freedom of speech there. (We don't know whether this is 'our channel' or 'their kingdom'..." [1])

we keep on hearing Al-Jazeera's famous motto, 'Opinion and Counter-Opinion. Let's hope Mr. Waddah Hanfar, director-general of Al-Jazeeera network,will start listening to the 'counter-opinion' from his own employees.

Eventually, I just hope Al-Jazeera stuff will formulate their demands without distinguishing between Qataris and non Qataris.

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

Guys, lets cut alj some slack - he obviously has spent a long time being frustrated and like a lot of people I imagine is at breaking point.

Perhaps the idea about writing to the Emir is a good one, though I imagine employees are terrified of speaking up and putting their names to paper, for fear that the reaction might not work in their favor.

I also imagine posting on this forum is a last resort for you - it must be hard when u feel their's no one to turn to, because even your own HR department is not working towards the interests of its employees. Its hard to join a company & know that u will never be able to throw everything into it, because u are forced to just 'make the most of it and survive' until you and all your colleagues leave.

It is really disappointing that an internationally-recognized TV network with a lot of potential to be something amazing has so far failed to live up to many peoples' expectations. Unfortunately, perhaps this organization needs to crash before it can be rebuilt into something its staff, and Qatar can be proud of.

xmp

Double post, sorry guys

Thank you so much bajesus. People are so quick to judge and comment about things they know nothing about.

Both my wife and I left very good jobs to come work for Al Jazeera with our three kids, and were under the assumption that we would be looked after. This is what AJE promised.

Benefits aside, I work a 70 hour week, and after all these cut backs am not getting paid very well like some people like to assume.

Jauntie, you forgot the part where people work their asses off to get these benefits and most of those quotes you mentioned are invalid and false. You have no right to judge me or AJE staff.

The loyalty of the staff has been overwhelming considering the way we have been treated since Salem has joined.

Recently we had a HR meeting with Salem- the staff being so fed up with his obnoxious behaviour they threatened to resign. Since then 10 people have resigned.

We do not understand why we were brought out here in the first place.

If we go home we no jobs to return to and have to relocate the kids again, which is so unfair on them.

I just wish we knew how this organization operated before we joined as we are shattered not knowing what to do, or who to turn to.

Thank you for your advice bajesus, I really appreciate it. I was about to give up on this forum with the snide, unfriendly, and condescending comments.

God bless you!

dp

Have you considered writing to the emir or Her Highness? it just so happens that theres another thread now with their emails. It's worth a check and maybe you can get more of the AlJazeera staff to wrtie to them to get yourselves heard.

Before people here attack aljazeeraj let me say that everything mentioned about Salem is true. If anything, the things said here almost make Salem look nice!! that man used to work at QTV. He messed with the wrong people there and he got fired. He would fire people to pocket the money but fortunately they managed to get rid of him. Now he's doing the same at AL Jazeera. He wants to fire high paid workers and hire cheap, fresh graduates from foregin countries. Now he's getting his friends jobs at HR. He is a rotten, despicable man and he should rot in hell.

You come across as being a very bitter, jealous person Jauntie. Having more "benefits" then you has nothing to do with the original post. Nothing to do with it at all.

Sorry to "complain" PM, is obvious I've come to the wrong place.

That would involve advertising I suppose!

I know people working in Qatar TV have been trying for ages to get into Aljazeera. Though some did make it to aljazeera but finally they heads of Aljazeera and QTV decided that there will be no switching of personnel between the two. But one thing is for sure Aljazeera does has great pays. No wonder people from cnn and bbc are coming to Aljazeera.

What I suspect is that the Government might have decided not to give Aljazeera enormous funding and is cutting back on ita budget allocated to Aljazeera.

As a resuly aljazeera is going for some cost cutting measures. This will definitely result in the movement of the talent but hey atleast the Show Will Go On.

Maybe I guessed correctly - reading that article I spy a quote!

"When [employees receive] monetary incentives, promises of jobs, the height of freedom, and extraordinary privileges, including luxurious furnished dwellings equipped with anything the citizen wants, [including] a swimming pool... in addition to a BMW to drive, funding for their children's schooling in the best foreign private schools in the country, payment of local and international phone bills, and full medical insurance... [it is only natural that] brilliant talent will emerge - not only in the media, television, or the press, but also in the field of nuclear energy!

"What is the monthly salary of the editor of the international Al-Jazeera newspaper, which is expected to come out soon? Compare this with the salaries of all the editors of the other Qatari dailies, and with the salaries of their readers..."

Must be hard to have some of those incentives cut, don't you think?

were you all being overpaid to begin with?

Just a thought!!!!

-HR has cut out the majority of medical insurance on existing contracts.

(Note: you still have medical insurance? - didn't quite understand this one)

-It has been confirmed that AL Jazeera will NOT be paying tuition for your child’s education, which has devastated many staff members who have dedicated their life in Doha to Al Jazeera. They have no choice but to leave.

(Note: When did AlJazeera start in Qatar? "dedicated their life in Doha"?)

-There is word that they will not be paying for accommodation on new contracts.

-Female staff cannot sponsor their husbands, and Al Jazeera will not be hiring spouses in the future.

(Note: This isn't so unusual is it? .. maybe not nice, but not unusual)

So basically:

- Medical expenses cut

- no tuition paid for kids

Not bad! Wish I had medical expenses and a salary which could afford the education of my children.

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP156007

Must Read.:)

Does the labour contract mention medical insurance, child's education etc.? Anyway if its really that bad, maybe you and your colleagues should go talk to a lawyer... Let me know if you need help getting one...

Anyone who watches Middle East media research institute (memri.org). It is definitely a Source of good information

I had a terrible encounter with the Manager of Aljazeera's IT Department. I dont wanna right his name but serves him right that whole of Aljazeera's computer network got hacked.

impossible to take away benefits on existing contracts, it's complete and utter BS.

And although benefits may be decreasing they do NOT mention that Al-Jazeera employees will be given an increase in salary. Perhaps that will compensate for the benefits for NEW contracts, who knows.

I'll believe this when I see raw information from an insider rather than word of mouth.

Oh and this whole 'anti-western' thing is just rubbish too.

If the network prefers to train Qatari individuals its their choice.

If a Qatari company wants to invest in Qatari people how the hell does it make it anti-western.

_______________________

love the rider :D

What is their associated pay scale?

but probably last year or so there were lots of anti-Aljazeera articles in the arab newspapers in Qatar. The Qataris were of the view that as Aljazeera does not hire Qataris so the Government should not fund it. There were also lots of other allegations against Aljazeera, dont remember them now, Anyways you can dig up em from

www.memri.org (if the site is not banned)

spikey ... very spikey !!! lol

To be serious, I don't think I would knock and 'name' my employers on a public forum, aljazeeraj. Doesn't strike me as a wise move towards putting things right. But then I'm not you ...

I really hope you manage to resolve the problems.

Maybe the Western journalists have been training the Arab journalists in concepts of freedom of the press. Now it is time for the Western journalists to leave and let the Arabs practice what they have learned.

Do you work for AJE? I assume you don’t after making statements like that- I suggest you go to AJE and ask one of the employees to look at their new contracts or go and talk with the head of HR- you will see with your own eyes that AJE are NOT paying for tuition.

Regarding the medical insurance, we have hard copies proving this, so before you start talking about nothing you know nothing about and calling it ‘propaganda’ I suggest you get your facts straight.

Why don't you write to Salem so you can hear it for yourself?

Do you work for AJE? I assume you don’t after making statements like that- I suggest you go to AJE and ask one of the employees to look at their new contracts or go and talk with the head of HR- you will see with your own eyes that AJE are NOT paying for tuition.

Regarding the medical insurance, we have hard copies proving this, so before you start talking about nothing you know nothing about and calling it ‘propaganda’ I suggest you get your facts straight.

Why don't you write to Salem so you can hear it for yourself?

Specially the education tuition part. Government corporations like Kahramaa & ashgal started covering Education for their employees no to mention a really good medical insurance. How come Aljazeera would do other wise? That's just unbelievable & complete propagnda

Come on Typist 1. Be logical like skdkak and open a new forum for whatever you have to discuss with showing respect to other individuals.

Thanks.

iz not only dey pay western mor dan arab, but i saw funny happening:

manager mek contrac wid canadean konsult & preper 4x4 car & hous 4 him, den konsult arive but not blond, he origin from asia & dis manager angry why he preper 4x4 & hous/vila not flat & normal car? dis konsult hav all same ejucashion, experens, digree, etc like blond but he not blond

and stop attacking people who have a different mindset than you do. As you were so quick to say...the road travels BOTH directions..and that goes for QL as well...

then not fulfilling their contract specifications...its a BIG move to get here, be promised one thing then find out none of its right. Those personnel could have probably had a much better job WITH the security, elsewhere,if they had known that their contract was null and void when they arrive here in Doha.

"These are just a few things- Nigel could tell you the rest."

I hope you mean Nigel Parsons, and not me. I just publish stories about Al Jazeera that have been published elsewhere. I don't have any insider knowledge, I'm afraid. Everyone has probably heard stories about dissatisfaction amongst staff, but I don't know whether any of the claims are true, widespread, or any worse than those you would get at any other firm in Doha.

There are a few people on this site who work at Jazeera, but I'm not one of them.

It shows what class you come from!

Aljazeerai,

I understand your frustration and can imagine how hard it is to be mistreated at work. However, I just wonder why you consider all this as an anti-western attack ?

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

I have my class to fight with.

Yeah, run as much as you can!

It shows how a fighter you are LOL

Thank you for reminding me of my never ending charms....

It hows how respectful you are also!

i am outa here.

no fun breaking head with a dud

It seems you have complex disorder, better go see a shrink!!

Who is changing topics !!!!

READ and UNDERSTAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Resorting to personal insults- aren't you just a charmer.

I must have really upset you for you to attack me this way....way to go Hummers....woo hoo!!

Have a nice day :)

'Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world'

this thread.

Dont ever come close to saying what u are about to in next 3 -4 posts of urs.

Stick to the topic and salary.

Dont go to superiority and/or inferiority group of people

you Bugger off!!!

who said that you should lay back and do nothing!

Read what the guy posted you twit!

So a worker or an office boy should get this amount of money??

Or the westerns and the arabs are better??

i didn't say you are ZERO tech! i was implying to your comment, What makes a western person better than anyone??

Technology you say! Ok, go to their countries and see how well they know about technology.

Do a back ground check and see most of them have worked in the gulf before, gaining knowledge from arabs

Life is not fair!!!

Answer this, if life is not fair, do we all just except things the way they are and just give up on life? Do we not try to improve things in this world and try to make it a better place? If we have a problem, do we resort to saying well "life is not fair" and give up?

And what’s with this "leave Doha" garbage anytime anyone says anything remotely negative about Doha? The idea of this forum is for people to have their say, share ideas, discuss their concerns with others- if you don't like the idea of this, BUGGER OFF!!!

'Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world'

Nepali getting QR 1000.00 proves that u are talking about wokers and/or office boy kinda stuff.

As for technology: i am sorry the way u wrote the entire thing.... is a bouncer to me. Now either I am Zero technology (Which i am damn sure I am not) or u need to specify further.

You know!

It seems you don't know math!!!

A nepali getting 1000 QR may be MUCH for his country, but i would like to ask Your technology & experience A$$ is it much for YOU to eat in DOHA!!!!

TELL ME THAT!!!!!

*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.

that is when I am drunk. LOL

You're absolutely right on every count!

*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.

Is it fair that Westerns get paid more than arabs??

"It is the technology & experience which Westerners put on the table AND remember Westerners have to divide while Indians / Pakistanis / Nepalis etc have to multiply when we convert salary into our respective national currency"

Is it fair that arabs get paid more than Indians and Pakistanis??

"Indians & Pakistanis get more than what they get back home"

Is it fair that Indians and Pakistanis get paid more than Nepalis??

"Dont look at Qatari Riyals that Nepali's get... loot at the conversion rate that Nepali currency given them - u may be shocked b'cos they might be earning more than Indians & Pakistanis w.r.t their country currency. If u are talking abt Nepali workers... then they get the same as Indian & Pakistani workers"

Life is not Fair!!!

"Since when did u think life was EVER fair"

Move the sand from your shoes as well, and leave Doha!

"All the best"

God Bless Qatar and the Qatari News!

Is it fair that Westerns get paid more than arabs??

Is it fair that arabs get paid more than Indians and Pakistanis??

Is it fair that Indians and Pakistanis get paid more than Nepalis??

Life is not Fair!!!

Move the sand from your shoes as well, and leave Doha!

Tell them they are in media and service industry... once on top, it wont take much to fall like a thud if employes are treated like the way you say.