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Al-Jazeera counts down to launch Al-Jazeera counts down to launch
(40 minutes later)
The Arabic television news channel al-Jazeera is due to begin broadcasting to the world in English on Wednesday.The Arabic television news channel al-Jazeera is due to begin broadcasting to the world in English on Wednesday.
The channel, which will initially broadcast for 12 hours a day, becomes a 24-hour news operation from 1 January.The channel, which will initially broadcast for 12 hours a day, becomes a 24-hour news operation from 1 January.
It will broadcast from studios in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC, in addition to 20 other countries.It will broadcast from studios in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC, in addition to 20 other countries.
Al-Jazeera English, as it is now known, says it is on course to reach 80 million homes - double its target - in Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.Al-Jazeera English, as it is now known, says it is on course to reach 80 million homes - double its target - in Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.
In the United States, the channel will be available via a broadband internet connection, but not distributed by a major cable or satellite system.In the United States, the channel will be available via a broadband internet connection, but not distributed by a major cable or satellite system.
In the Middle East, al-Jazeera's Arabic news channel is known for its forthright style, frank journalism and willingness to discuss taboo issues.In the Middle East, al-Jazeera's Arabic news channel is known for its forthright style, frank journalism and willingness to discuss taboo issues.
This has made it a thorn in the side of governments from Washington to Riyadh, says the BBC's Ian Pannell, in Cairo.This has made it a thorn in the side of governments from Washington to Riyadh, says the BBC's Ian Pannell, in Cairo.
'Middle Eastern feel''Middle Eastern feel'
Originally due to launch in 2005, the station employs some 800 people from 55 countries and hopes to bring a different perspective to international events.Originally due to launch in 2005, the station employs some 800 people from 55 countries and hopes to bring a different perspective to international events.
We will be getting our reaction, first and foremost, from the Middle East Felicity Barr, presenterWe will be getting our reaction, first and foremost, from the Middle East Felicity Barr, presenter
"It is definitely an international channel, but it's certainly going to have a Middle Eastern feel about it," one of the channel's presenters, Felicity Barr, told the BBC."It is definitely an international channel, but it's certainly going to have a Middle Eastern feel about it," one of the channel's presenters, Felicity Barr, told the BBC.
"The instant reaction for, say, a Western organisation, is to get analysis from the United States or from the UK," she explained."The instant reaction for, say, a Western organisation, is to get analysis from the United States or from the UK," she explained.
"We will be getting our reaction, first and foremost, from the Middle East.""We will be getting our reaction, first and foremost, from the Middle East."
The channel is hoping to revolutionise English language television in the same way it revolutionised Arab language television 10 years ago.The channel is hoping to revolutionise English language television in the same way it revolutionised Arab language television 10 years ago.
But, our correspondent says this will be a much harder task.But, our correspondent says this will be a much harder task.
Established rivalsEstablished rivals
Al-Jazeera's achievement in the Middle East was to break a monopoly on information held by governments and state broadcasters, our correspondent says.Al-Jazeera's achievement in the Middle East was to break a monopoly on information held by governments and state broadcasters, our correspondent says.
But the international market is already much more developed with well established rivals in the BBC and CNN.But the international market is already much more developed with well established rivals in the BBC and CNN.
"One of our goals is to reverse the flow of information to the south," Wadah Khanfar, director general of the al-Jazeera Group explained to Reuters news agency."One of our goals is to reverse the flow of information to the south," Wadah Khanfar, director general of the al-Jazeera Group explained to Reuters news agency.
While, the hope is that a major English-language channel operating from the Middle East will give the Arab world a global voice, our correspondent says the launch will simply be a moment of pride. While the hope is that a major English-language channel operating from the Middle East will give the Arab world a global voice, our correspondent says the launch will simply be a moment of pride.
But, he adds, the question for some in the region is whether the new channel will be as outspoken as its sister station and whether it will adopt a similar editorial stance.But, he adds, the question for some in the region is whether the new channel will be as outspoken as its sister station and whether it will adopt a similar editorial stance.