Al Jazeera has just bought Current TV Channel. The $500 million deal sets pace for Qatar-funded network’s penetration in the US, a market it has struggled to reach for some time now.
Since its inception in 1996 as an Arab language channel, the Doha-based television outlet has established a strong footing around the world. The 24-hour Al Jazeera English channel launched in 2006 came to global attention during the Arab Spring. Despite its bold reportage, it was partly criticised for catalysing the conflict. As it enters the United States, the challenge ahead will be on the packaging of its news. Is it being set up to churn out balanced stories or is it just a propaganda outfit for Gulf States?