MP expresses reservations over Paris killings coverage

A Labor MP is calling for Australia's public broadcasters to be careful when re-broadcasting material from the Qatari-based news service Al Jazeera.

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The Al Jazeera headquarters in Doha, Qatar.

A Labor MP is calling for Australia's public broadcasters to be careful when re-broadcasting material from the Qatari-based news service Al Jazeera.

The Members for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby says leaked emails from Al Jazeera editorial staff over its Charlie Hebdo coverage are scandalous.

Several senior correspondents took part in a robust email exchange after the executive producer of Al Jazeera English, Salah-Aldeen Khadr suggested several points be raised in the network's coverage.

He argued the attack on Charlie Hebdo was a targeted attack and not an attack on free speech.

He also criticised the magazine saying defending freedom of expression in the face of oppression is one thing; insisting on the right to be obnoxious just because you can is infantile.

Several correspondents replied to the email with arguments both for and against his suggestions.

Labor MP Michael Danby has appeared on Al Jazeera in the past and has mixed views about the broadcaster.

He told Greg Dyett why he regards the emails as scandalous.

(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full interview)

 


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By Greg Dyett

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