Al Jazeera explores freedom as a private broadcaster

Doha (Qatar), July 15 (ANI): Pan-Arab television channel Al-Jazeera has reportedly been given the go-ahead to alter its legal status to become a "private organisation devoted to public interest" through an amendment ratified by Qatar's Emir Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani in May.

The legal makeover from its current standing as a public entity will allow the Doha-based TV station, set up in 1996, to embark on an ambitious expansion plan and will provide it with more flexibility in its administrative as well as editorial functioning, Qatari dailies The Peninsula and Al Sharq reported.

Following the change of status, the network credited with transforming the media landscape in the Arab world, will work on launching a host of regional channels that include Al Jazeera Balkans, Al Jazeera Turkey and Al Jazeera Swahili, Gulf News reports.

The channel will also be able to get involved in wider media activities, including providing social networking, mobile and internet-based news services, the dailies observed.

The Emir, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, ratified the amendment, formalised by Law 10/2011, in May.

The new name proposed for the group is reportedly 'Al Jazeera Media Network'. (ANI)