Vision: Forward-Looking Mission: Steadfast Vision: Forward-Looking Mission: Steadfast Vision forward looking Mission steadfast Index Introduction 10 Al Jazeera starts a new 20 years 12 One day, I’ll go back to Sanaa 40 Sheikh Hamad Bin Thamer Al Thani Ahmed Al-Shalai Al Jazeera at 20: Always Genuine, Always Pioneering 16 The Arab Spring and the Spring of Documentary Films 44 Mostefa Souag Ahmed Mahfouz The cofee shop and a journalist’s impartiality 20 Al Jazeera: A global brand 48 Abd Alqader Faeez Ahmed Marzouq AlFahad The sleepless Al Jazeera 24 Breaking the siege… and a news bulletin 52 Abderrahim Foukara Ayache Derradji Where my mind and soul is free 28 The Story of Al Jazeera Mubasher 56 Abdullah Elshamy Ayman Gaballah Al Jazeera: Quality and courage 32 Why Al Jazeera journalists argue with each other 60 Ahmad Al-Raysouni Barry Malone An optimistic outlook for the next 20 years 36 Tears of despair 64 Ahmed Al Sheikh Chris Gunness Vision forward looking Mission steadfast Index The countdown 68 “Are you Al Jazeera?” 108 Edin Krehić Hasan Zidane The Al Jazeera family 72 Refusing to be silenced 112 Eman Al Amri Ibrahim Nassar Al Jazeera: Biased towards humanity 76 Al Jazeera: recognising the power of story-telling to shape diferent versions of the world. 116 Eman Ayyad Ingrid Falck Al Jazeera in China 80 Just 20 years 120 Ezzat Shahrour Jaafar Abbas Biscuits from little hands 84 Living up to its motto 124 Fairouz Ziani Jamil Azar The Stream, creating ripples since 2011 88 The long road from Afghanistan 128 Femi Oke Kamal Hyder Telling the Palestinian story 92 The art of knowing a little about a lot 132 Ghada Oueiss Kelly Jarrett Meeting the future 96 I remember … 136 Giles Trendle Khalid Albaih A kidnapped correspondent 100 Scenes from Baghdad 140 Hamdi Albokari M’hamed Krichen Journalism’s ‘martyrs’ 104 A matter of inspiration 144 Hanan Ali Al Thani Mohamed Abuagla Vision forward looking Mission steadfast Index Africa’s ‘own Al Jazeera’ - at last 148 Covering an Israeli incursion into the West Bank 188 Mohammed Adow Shireen Abu Akleh Al Jazeera.net … A renewed spirit 152 Tragedies in Arakan 192 Mohammed Mukhtar Al Khalil Sohaib Jassim In the hands of Al Jazeera 156 ‘The real story is behind you’ 196 Moncef Marzouki Steve Chao A journalist’s diaries from Tahrir Square 160 A great beginning and a good foundation 200 Montaser Marai Suad Abdullah Shifting the fulcrum 164 A Balkan success story 204 Phil Rees Tarik Dodic Imperishable souls 168 Twenty years with the people 208 Rafaat AlRefaie Thembisa Fakude The ‘voice of the voiceless’ for two decades 172 Two decades on … it’s the same Al Jazeera 212 Ramsey Zarifeh Yaser Abuhilalah Palestine in Sarajevo’s heart 176 The digital future 216 Rawan J Damen Yaser Bishr Once upon a time before Guantanamo 180 Telling Hanifa’s story 220 Sami Elhaj Zeina Khodr The ‘little box’ that became an enlightened project 184 The surprise festival 224 Shihateh Awad Zeinebou Bent Erebih Vision forward looking Mission steadfast Introduction During the past 20 years, Al Jazeera has attracted the attention of many researchers at academic the establishment of the network. towards people, regardless of their At the end, we would like to extend institutions and research centres across the world. This clearly indicates the pioneering role it has Neither does it list Al Jazeera’s race, colour or religion. our gratitude to all those who played, a role that can rarely be described in just a few words. It was once said that: “Since accomplishments and successes, participated in the making of this Al Jazeera was launched, it has become very diicult to lie.” although some of the articles touch Two decades have passed and book whether by giving us new ideas upon some of these. This book is Al Jazeera has maintained the values or writing its articles. Special thanks This book is not an academic study. It encompasses what Al Jazeera’s family has to say about a collection of vital humanitarian and principles that have brought it go to the book’s Arabic editor Aref Al Jazeera on its 20th anniversary. A small committee from Al Jazeera’s staf was formed to stories told by those who lived those such popularity. It has also constantly HIjjawi, English into Arabic translator supervise the making of this book, with Ahmed al-Sheikh as head of the committee, stories in various parts of the world, met the need for modernisation and Aref Ahmaro, English editor Carla Muneer al-Daymi, Ezzeddine Abdelmoula, Muhammad Sidi Baba and Muhammad Vall as exposing what was happening behind complied with the requirements of the Bower and Arabic into English members and Araft Shoukri as member and coordinator of the project. The committee’s main the scenes and revealing the feelings modern age, including the adoption of translator Mays Al-Shobassi. We target was to tell the story of Al Jazeera over the past two decades through the words of its own they could not convey on screen or new methods of communication and would also like to thank our Creative people, those who have witnessed happy and diicult events and reported facts happening on through reports and live interviews media tools. They were two decades Department colleagues who have the ground as they were in order to convey the voice of the voiceless to the entire world. during news bulletins. These articles of originality and renewal. designed the layout of this book. are an attempt to express the spirit This book does not record the history of Al Jazeera, though some of its articles talk about and mission of Al Jazeera and its bias The Supervising Committee 10 11 Vision forward looking Mission steadfast Al Jazeera starts a new 20 years Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani Chairman of the Board of Al Jazeera Media Network Twenty years ago, there was a turning point in the history of During those 20 years, Al Jazeera In 20 years, Al Jazeera focused For 20 years, Al Jazeera has Arab media that left people and researchers studying and produced what others for long on the entire Arab world, relected remained controversial. Some loved analysing it for a long time. It was the emergence of Al Jazeera; decades could not. It has become people’s hopes, revealed their pains it, some criticised it, while others a free, brave and creative voice in a world where people had a leading name among its and expressed their ambitions. changed their stance towards it grown used to oicial Arab media. competitors. It seeks to present the overnight. However, Al Jazeera never truth through utmost transparency For 20 years, Al Jazeera stood by gave up its commitment to the truth, Al Jazeera was born to break the normality of restrictions and and strives for excellence and the side of people all over the world. to transparency and to balance. fabrication that prevailed at that time. It came to end falseness distinction through professionalism It defended their right to knowledge In the coming 20 years, Al Jazeera and relect reality as it is to its audience. and accuracy. and freedom of expression. will take the same path. 12 13 Vision forward looking Al Jazeera starts a new 20 years Mission steadfast Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani It will continue to seek and present the truth through honest, high quality reporting. It will dig deeper into the current afairs of the Arab world, searching its history and current situation for what is common among its people to reinforce it and what is diferent to accept and understand it. During the coming 20 years, we will understand our world better and will become even more prepared to keep up with innovations in form, content and multimedia. Al Jazeera will be the irst to use whatever is new in traditional and digital media and will keep up with all kinds of advanced training and technical quality. The past 20 years were an ever-renewed journey on all levels. And in the coming 20 years, Al Jazeera will always assume leading positions in innovation and creativity. Our mission will always be an authentic one, with solid values and noble goals. 14 15 Vision forward looking Mission steadfast Al Jazeera at 20: Always Genuine, Always Pioneering Mostefa Souag Acting Director General This book is a token of love and appreciation for Al Jazeera as it media, acknowledged by friends and those who attempt to compete with it, name. Did not the great poet Abu celebrates its 20th birthday. It was written by people whose love for foes alike across the world’s regions, sometimes devolving into jealousy or Tammam once write: it never wavered, whose lives and careers are inextricably joined languages and cultures. Joining the outright antagonism, especially among to Al Jazeera. Their devotion has been all-consuming: They have ranks of Al Jazeera has become a those of unscrupulous journalistic If God wants to spread a hidden virtue spent their lives and energy to serve Al Jazeera, at times more than source of pride, at times coming standards, who have dedicated their He sends it the tongue of an envious their children and loved ones. before ailiations of homeland and “weapons of mass distraction” to man family. burying truths in order to serve private In return, Al Jazeera has given them loyalty, appreciation, fame interests. It is perhaps this “envy” that The vast number of tongues that have and a solid reputation in the world of professional and authentic Al Jazeera has also raised the ire of has made Al Jazeera a household “been sent” to take shots at Al Jazeera 16 17 Vision forward looking Al Jazeera at 20: Always Genuine, Always Pioneering Mission steadfast Mostefa Souag have done nothing but add to its fame, glory hearing from me.