Al Jazeera America, a new, U.S.-based extension of the media organization funded by the Qatar government, announced today that it will open a new Detroit bureau as part of the channel’s 2013 launch.
“We want our reporters to be where the stories are and Detroit continues to be where American business stories and trends are happening,” Ehab Al Shihabi, executive director of international operations for Al Jazeera, said in a press release. “Al Jazeera America knows that you have to have on-the-ground reporting from the Motor City to really cover America’s economic, financial and socially important news and we’re excited about being here.”
In addition to the Detroit bureau, The Washington Times reported Tuesday that the network will open a bureau in Chicago.
Al-Jazeera America expects to hire 800 U.S. journalists and launch the 24-hour news channel by July or August of this year.
Mr. Al Shihabi has repeatedly said he sees a vacuum in America for unbiased, investigative reporting. Despite grants from the Qatar government, the chief said the channel will offer “unbiased” reporting and fulfill that perceived shortcoming.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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