U.S. welcomes Al Jazeera ethics code

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- The United States Tuesday welcomed a decision by a prominent Arab television network, Al Jazeera, to follow a code of ethics.

Al Jazeera announced earlier Tuesday it is adopting a code of ethics that will regulate its reporting, particularly of the events in Iraq.

U.S. officials have complained Al Jazeera often exaggerates reports of violence from Iraq, Afghanistan and other Muslim nations giving the reports an anti-American slant.

"We've always felt it was important for high standards of journalism to be put in place, U.S. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters in Washington. "And so, we welcome the action and we look forward to reading the actual guidelines."