The New York Times reports that while cable companies have shied away from the station because of accusations that it's content is anti-U.S. and anti-Israel, YouTube has no such qualms.

“Having a branded channel does not represent an endorsement of that channel’s content,” said Julie Supan, YouTube’s head of communications. She said in an e-mail message that YouTube strives “to provide a community where people from around the world can broadcast and express themselves by sharing videos in a safe and lawful manner.”

The article says that while it remains to be seen how popular the channel will be, some in the media are welcoming the entry of another voice into the debate.

“The idea that people can click and watch English language programming on Al Jazeera is important because it’s an alternative point of view,” said John Stauber, executive director of the Center for Media and Democracy, a watchdog organization. He said he saw the arrangement as an encouraging sign about the diversity of news coverage that could increasingly find a home online.