US news will limit bin Laden footage

The five major US TV networks are agreeing to limit their coverage of statements by Osama bin Laden.

National security adviser Condoleezza Rice negotiated the agreement with the network heads.

The White House has been concerned bin Laden could be passing on secret messages to Muslims around the world during the broadcasts.

Arabic TV station al-Jazeera, the only foreign news station broadcasting from inside Afghanistan, criticised the decision.

Editor Ibrahim Hilal said: "I don't think the US, which taught the world about freedom of expression, should now begin to limit it."

Meanwhile, the UK government has said it will not ask broadcasters to censor their footage.

A spokesman for Britain's prime minister said it would be up to organisations to decide for themselves whether to air tape of bin Laden and his associates