Connection through music

Imagine a teenager, awake late at night, flipping through infomercials and talk shows on TV. In an alternate universe, if Al Jazeera English were a cable channel in North America, the teenager would be able to watch Richard Gizbert's show Playlist, a show that highlights bands from around the world, exploring how the bands came to be and their influence within their countries and worldwide.

Tonight, a teenager would have gotten insight on rock bands Junoon and Mizraab from Pakistan and seen examples of how traditional and modern forms of music are continually being combined by musicians from this country, creating a new style of music.

Although there is a strong debate on the validity of media effects, a simple question should be posed in relation to the fact that a television show, such as the one described above, does not happen in North America. How would the public reception of political relations with Pakistan change after watching different portrayals of people's lives in Pakistan? Would more commonalities, such as musical interests, be realized, connecting people across countries? How would these potential possible effects impact the reasoning behind not allowing an Al Jazeera English channel?