news briefing with Al Jazeera correspondent
news briefing with Al Jazeera correspondentReuters

Al Jazeera America has hired a lobbying firm to advocate for the broadcasting company on Capitol Hill, according to reports.

The media company Al JazeeraAmerica Holdings, which recently bought Al Gore’s cable news station Current TV, has hired the DLA Piper law firm to conduct “informational communications regarding client's cable television channel,” Politico reported.

The global law firm, which has 4,200 lawyers located in more than 30 countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, has reportedly been educating lawmakers about the company’s plans to be based in New York City and open bureaus across the country.

“We’re keeping everyone advised of the upcoming launch of the U.S.-based news channel,” DLA Piper’s John Merrigan, who is one of the individuals leading the account, told Politico.

Mark Paoletta, former chief counsel for oversight and investigations for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will also be among the top lobbyists leading the account, The Hill confirmed.

Al Jazeera America Holdings is the U.S. subsidiary of the Qatar-based news network.