The attack comes after U. S. investigators said they believe Russian hackers might have breached Al Jazeera
SAN FRANCISCO — Al Jazeera, a Qatar-backed news outlet, reported Thursday that its site is being hit with “systematic and continual hacking attempts.”
The news organization reported on its website that the attempts were “gaining intensity and taking various forms” but its website and digital platforms remained up and running Thursday afternoon. The exact types of attacks were not clear.
U. S. investigators believe Russian hackers might have breached Al Jazeera and posted false statements attributed to the emir of Qatar supporting Iran and criticizing President Donald Trump, according to CNN, which cited unnamed U. S. officials briefed on the investigation.
These stories prompted several Arab nations to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar.
The news organization, which publishes in multiple languages including English, has gained an international following for hard-hitting news reporting, which distinguished it from state-run outlets in the region. It’s owned by the government of Qatar.
It launched a major expansion in the United States in 2013, hiring hundreds of U. S. journalists. The operation, Al Jazeera America, was shut down in 2016 due to low ratings, a lack of advertisers and operational issues.
The news organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
