I watched the Day of Anger, Friday, on Aljazeera TV network. This relatively unknown news service (for North Americans), filmed and commented directly from its studio and office in Cairo. This would be something like filming from your own upstairs bedroom while a battle was clashing on the street below.
Its staff continued their work even though police were in the building to force the various news media there to stop transmitting. This was happening just before the Friday Prayers were to take place. The commentator described how, even in this dangerous confrontation between Egyptian people and the dreaded police, a truce was held while prayers were given in the street.
At times, Aljazeera cameras retreated inside their studio when the police were on the street outside to avoid becoming a target or to attract their attention.
It took courage to continue filming and commenting when all hell was breaking just outside their door. At one point rioters attempted to push a large police truck over the bridge railing and into the Nile River. They settled for torching it.
During all this, Aljazeera aired reports and visuals from its staff in other Egyptian cities. Meanwhile, Egyptian state TV showed a scene of utter tranquility. Using a split screen, Aljazeera showed what their cameras were seeing, comparing it with the state TV images.
I have subscribed to this locally available TV for several months now. It provides a different viewpoint compared with American, Canadian and other Western news networks. Rogers Cable has it available in London on channel 176. I am sure other providers offer it too at nominal cost.--Irvine Brace Click here for more info
