Debate Preview? Maybe Not Yet...

By Matt Digby

md313208@ohio.edu

@MDigbyOU

Al Jazeera has its hands full trying to cover world news for a world audience, but it does realize the presidential election will impact the entire world, and has stepped up the election coverage.

However, reporters have not written any alternative stories as most U.S. networks are likely to do (what I call the "bio approach"). This would be writing stories about Paul Ryan's wife and family, or what Michelle Obama has been up to lately, as these people will become (or remain) household names throughout the world come January.

One of Al Jazeera's latest articles was the news that Obama has a critical lead in the Ohio polls. Many view Ohio as the state that decided the 2004 and 2008 elections, and once again all eyes are on the Buckeye State. Supporters of the President have reason to celebrate, but on the other hand, there's still over a month to go. And President Obama needs to be focused on Wednesday night's debate.

Speaking of the debate, I have not seen any preview articles yet from AJ. I'm not sure if it's planning a massive preview story that will be released on Tuesday, but I do think it would benefit the news organization to send a crew to Denver to cover the debate, and if it can stream it, that would be even better.

The U.S. soldier death toll in Afghanistan reached 2,000 this week. Photo courtesy AP.

I also give Al Jazeera credit for covering an issue that is just as important as the domestic economy; the fact that 2,000 U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan. Wednesday night's debate will focus on domestic policy, so I don't expect this to be brought into play often, but this merits a lot of attention from both parties, especially if either candidates want to get an edge to start off October.

Do you think Al Jazeera will stream the first debate online? Will it send it's own panel of political commentators to Denver? Let me know what you think!