Al Jazeera in Channel 4 bid
ARAB TV channel Al Jazeera is about to launch a move to take control of Channel 4, it emerged last night.
The Qatar-based broadcaster has been criticised for showing videos of the London suicide bombers threatening more attacks.
It also aired desperate appeals by murdered British Iraq hostage Ken Bigley. Senior Tory MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture Select Committee, said: “Al Jazeera has a very distinct point of view. There would be very serious concerns at the prospect of it being involved in a major UK channel.
“Channel 4 is a public service broadcaster. There’s a requirement for impartiality and it’s hard to see how that could be reconciled with Al Jazeera.”
Channel 4’s audience and advertising revenue are falling and the Government wants it to merge with another broadcaster. ITV, Channel Five and BBC Worldwide have all been suggested. A Channel 4 spokesman said: “This offer is not to be dismissed.”
