the journalistic code of ethics (1) and becoming the network’s relied-upon editorial guide. Since its launch in 2001, AlJazeera.net has seen various developments in terms of appearance and content in line with digital environment transformations as well as to keep up with developments in electronic and digital media creation. It used to feature a homepage with content produced by the website, divided by topic which included: Arab or International, Reports and Dialogues, Economy, Culture, Mis- cellaneous, Health and Medicine, Sports, Press Tour and Cartoons as well as the transcripts of live and pre-taped Talk programmes broadcast by Al Jazeera and other communication services (2) . In 2004, AlJazeera.net launched four sub-sites: News, Knowledge, Satellite, and Business and Economy, relying on the experience it had gained in the electronic media field and valuable additions to the Arab media world by Al Jazeera. The website was designed as a network of sites providing the following sources of knowledge to users: - News: the main Arabic website, with comprehensive coverage of events and developments around the clock. - Knowledge: more in-depth aspects of opinions and what is be- hind the news, including analysis, research and in-depth studies. - Satellite channel: programmes broadcast by Al Jazeera, with a complete record of its productions in a large database. - Business and Finance: economic activity and the business world, including concepts, concerns and employee opportunities and challeng- es. This development not only allowed AlJazeera.net to complete Al Jazeera’s pioneering role in developing both the visual and print Arab media message, but also gave it leadership in providing the public with continuous news, programmes and analysis online. Users were given the opportunity to interact with and comment on news content and vote on topics and issues in real-time.
(1) See, “Code of Ethics”, The Al Jazeera Decade: 1996-2006 , Al Jazeera Media Network, (Manama: Al-Waraqoon, 2006), p. 228.
(2) Ahmaine, Ibid., p. 130.
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