I wrote an anniversary review of Al Jazeera English recently, pointing out the dilemma of running a globally “progressive-minded” news channel on behalf of a despotic regime.

Here is an email exchange with someone at Al Jazeera English in Doha, responding to that piece:

…I am a tad disappointed with your recent Press Gazette article on ‘Al Jazeera English – 1 year on.’

“An expensive attempt to buy silence”? Check your facts. [Al Jazeera English has] reported on stories unflattering to the Qatari regime – the plight of abused domestic workers, and the level of human trafficking to name but two … Al Jazeera Arabic has done an entire programme questioning Qatar’s regime for allowing a US Army base on its territory, complete with phone-ins. I can safely say no journalist involved was imprisoned/deported/beheaded as a result.

You go so far as to quote the US State Department: “On domestic issues, Al Jazeera covered local news generally only if there was an international angle to it.” Yes? And? Al Jazeera only covers MOST stories if there’s an international angle to them. It’s also questionable to quote the Bush administration, given their top man actually considered bombing Al Jazeera Arabic. Press freedom indeed.

So what stories do you think we’ve missed? Send us a list – the planning department is always glad of editorial suggestions.

My reply: Hmmm. I guess I’ll have to wait for the investigations into how the al-Thanis make and spend their money – would AJE ever go near the Qatari royal family? Or another Gulf royal family? The BAe investigations?

There are a few story ideas in the (partly state-sponsored) human rights review quoted here.

Self-censorship is a criticism I’ve heard from people in Qatar, and in the Arab media generally (and about the Arab media generally).

I don’t hold a torch for the Bush administration, but when Qataris vote the al-Thanis out, or impeach them, or their term of office expires – let me know.

There is a fundamental dilemma in a “progressive” TV station funded by a despotic regime (even an enlightened despotism). I don’t think it’s wrong to point that out.

And I don’t think the coverage you mention (some of which others had also told me of) in any way redresses that balance or answers that fundamental question – for me. You obviously feel differently.

Yes, Qatar is a non-democratic regime. Yes, there are aspects of civil infringements here that right-minded people like you or I deplore – not being able to leave the country without official permission, for instance. But the point is, Qatar’s leadership is essentially a benign regime, and the issues here are simply not as gripping as what’s happening in Pakistan, Myanmar, Georgia, Mogadishu, Sudan, etc etc.

If we were called Doha Today I could understand your beef – but we’re not. We’re a global news organisation. And let’s face it, all news organisations operate editorial judgements when it comes to selecting which stories to broadcast… the duller stuff doesn’t make it. That’s not special to Al Jazeera. How many Qatar stories have you seen on BBC World or CNN? Exactly.

We’ve done sterling work upsetting lots of regimes – operating undercover in Myanmar, for instance.

And we don’t shy away from political stories involving this region. We’ve done the BAe story. We’ve questioned the point of the GCC, and the efficacy (or lack of) of the Arab League. And we’ve covered the grass-roots campaign for democratic reform across the Gulf – I did that one, so I can assure you they got good airtime.

Would we ever be stopped from investigating the Al Thanis? I’m not saying it couldn’t happen. If a big juicy royal scandal erupted on our doorstep, would we be prevented from reporting it? Or pressed into reporting it a certain way? Maybe, who knows? And if we are, I promise you I will be straight on the phone to you. But I can say unequivocally that hasn’t happened so far…