Al Jazeera set to be a force in US media

Al Jazeera is also providing English subtitles for many of its programmes, and English translations of network transcripts on its website.

Within the next year or so, producers hope to debut English-language shows tailored specifically to American audiences.

The long-term goal, according to Al Jazeera executives, is to carve a niche into the American media landscape by providing a point of view that often goes unrepresented in the US.

'The idea of English-language programming came to us after 9/11, when we were fielding an average of 60 calls a day from American viewers wanting to know what Al Jazeera was saying,' said producer Imad Musa.

'We have the same journalistic standards as anyone, but we have different priorities, perhaps, and we can cover stories the American media can't always get,' he said.

The network made its name in the past year largely by airing tapes provided by al-Qa'eda operatives and showing the civilian impact of American military action in Afghanistan.

Washington PR professionals representing Arab interests have welcomed the news of an American Al Jazeera presence.

Director of Arabic affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Alaa Boymi said: 'It is a positive for us because our point of view will have a forum and a way to reach American audiences.'