Live from Doha: This is definitely not CNN

Al-Ahram's front page this morning. If I were to analyze this I would say the executed envoy, or ambassador, occupies a more prominent location than the victims of the London bombings. The last few days there have been demonstrations and outcries of Egyptians begging his Iraqi captors for his release. Thus, his execution has been met with animosity and grief. And further evidence Egypt should not be involved in Iraq at this stage.

The TV switched back on to al-Jazeera this morning. Such is the media empire which streams the most horrifically violent images and sounds into living rooms across the Middle East. al-Jazeera, out of Doha, Qatar, and al-Arabiya, out of Dubai in the UAE are the leading and unifying forces of Arab media. In light of the mass ownership and operation of now inexpensive satellite dishes across the Middle East, these stations have had the ability to bring the region closer through a common entity. al-Jazeera's broadcasts are no less glamorous than those of Atlanta, or any less comprehensive, or extraordinarily bias. They are simply different. Out of an Arab's perspective. And with no hesitation in airing whatever they would like.

As one may see in the paper, an approach to display the repercussions of violence (or victory) in how ever many pixalated images of blood and gore is common. Is it gained immunity to such images? A desire for absolute truth and transparency? A yearning to reject the sensitivities of the West? Whatever the reasoning, it makes walking past newsstands an activity requiring proper ID in the US.