Al-Hurra is a U.S. government-funded Arabic-language satellite television channel, operated by the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), an independent grantee of the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM, formerly Broadcasting Board of Governors). Headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, it provides news and current affairs programming via satellite television and digital platforms to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Launched on February 14, 2004, it is a sister network to Radio Sawa. The channel has faced criticism for perceived pro-U.S. bias, including accusations of serving American foreign policy interests; its first news director resigned in 2004 amid controversy over editorial independence, and it has been criticized by Arab governments and media watchdogs for its content and funding ties.