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When it comes to quality English language broadcasting covering the Arab World in the United States, we have only a few real choices. But I recently stumbled on Talfazat, which is a unique internet-based Cable TV system that easily links to your TV and offers both Arabic and English quality Middle East TV programming.
Talfazat was easy to install and I watch it all the time. All I needed was a high speed Internet connection (which nearly every home today has) and I connected to the Talfazat "cable box" that easily connected to my big screen TV.
My Arabic is improving as I scan my favorite Arab World TV channels, Aljazeera, alArabiya and Palestine TV, but also being able to watch the original broadcasting of Aljazeera's English language sister station has been both educational and informative.
As a radio talk show host broadcasting every morning to a mainstream audience base of more than 6 million in the Chicagoland region (we're a 1,500 WATT station and the broadcast quality is equal to any in that specific region, but not beyond), I know how important it is for mainstream Americans to be able to hear the Arab viewpoint in a reason and quality manner.
Here's a podcast of comments made by a recent caller to my radio show this past week that is worth hearing. This caller, like many callers to my morning radio show, reflected an attitude shift simply because he listens to my show.
Click HERE to listen to the podcast.
I also host a weekly Cable TV program that like my morning radio show oftentimes addresses Middle east issues from an American Arab point of view.
What I have learned is that sometimes our "activists" use inappropriate strategies when speaking to Americans. In fact, instead of speaking to Americans, they speak to the choir, or themselves reflecting anger rather than reason and overburdened arguments that are too difficult for Americans to easily comprehend or see.
But if you do speak to Americans in an American voice, and show concern for their interests while also explaining your own in a manner they are willing to hear, Arabs can make a difference in influencing American audiences.
The reality is that the fate of the Middle East is not solely in the hands of Arab and Israeli leaders, but is at the mercy of American public opinion. And so far, the Arab world and many Arabs in America have done a poor job of conveying that message to mainstream American audiences.
Talfazat offers one professional alternative that gives mainstream Americans an doorway to understanding through professional and quality programming.
Visit www.Talfazat.com for more information on how you can receive quality programming on the Middle East in Arabic and in English. It's easy and inexpensive and so badly needed in this country where real quality alternatives are non-existent.
-- Ray Hanania
