One key factor was missing, though, at least early on. Al Jazeera has played
a vital, instrumental role in framing this popular narrative by its intense,
innovative coverage of Tunisia and its explicit broadening of that experience
to the region. Its coverage today has been frankly baffling, though. During the
key period when the protests were picking up steam, Al Jazeera aired a
documentary cultural program on a very nice seeming Egyptian novelist and
musical groups, and then to sports. Now (10:30am EST) it is finally covering
the protests in depth, but its early lack of coverage may hurt its credibility.
I can't remember another case of Al Jazeera simply punting on a major story in
a political space which it has owned.