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Cambridge Residents Welcome The Al-Jazeera News Channel

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) - Television viewers in Cambridge are getting an up-close perspective on the turmoil in the Middle East. On Friday, Cambridge Community Television began airing Al Jazeera English every weeknight.

WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports from Cambridge

"I think that there are people who think it's un-American to be showing this, but I think that overall, people in this country understand that they need to broaden their horizons a little bit," says CCTV executive director Susan Fleischman.

She says the idea came when someone at the public access station aired snippets of the Arab-based network's coverage in Egypt. Viewers called and asked for more.

"I think it's really important for us to broaden our horizons and look at what other people are saying and what other people are feeling and doing in their countries," says Fleischman.

"You know most of us are not going to be able to travel to other countries and talk to people there, so it at least gives us a little bit of a slice of life."

The Arab-based network now airs in more than 100 other countries, but is only available in 4 U.S. cities.

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