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Move over CCN, BBC and Fox?

"After months of false starts, fine-tuning and a protracted in-house battle for the very soul of the channel, Al Jazeera unveils itself in English tomorrow for all the world to see.

All the world, that is, except North America, where only those with high-speed Internet access can log on to a live video stream of what the often controversial Arabic news empire has put together in its quest to take a global run at the likes of CNN, Fox and the BBC."

So reports Toronto Star here. It would appear that the fledging channel, certainly in the West, will be challenged to get air-play. However, Al Jazeera should not be underestinated as its "owners" have deep pockets and will almost certainly gain traction in time. One thing is for sure! Al Jazeera has in many material respects changed the face of access to the media in the Middle East and formulating the views of its peoples. Interestingly, none other than veteran journalist and media-type, Sir David Frost, is to host the flagship show.

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