Al Jazeera has announced the death of veteran journalist Jamil Azar, a founding anchor who played a central role in shaping the network during its early years. He was 89.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Al Jazeera Director-General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani described Azar as a “distinguished linguist” and credited him with authoring the network’s enduring motto, “The opinion and the other opinion.” He said Azar leaves behind a lasting media legacy marked by integrity, excellence, and a profound influence on generations of journalists.
Azar was born in Al-Husn, Irbid, Jordan, in 1937. He began his journalism career with the BBC Arabic Service in 1965, where he spent more than three decades as a news translator, presenter, and producer. During his time at the BBC, he worked on prominent programmes, including Politics Between the Questioner and the Respondent.
Following the launch of Al Jazeera on July 30, 1996, Azar joined the network as a leading news anchor. He went on to host The Week in the News and remained a prominent on-air presence until stepping down in 2011.
Azar’s career spanned more than four decades, during which he became widely respected for his linguistic precision, editorial balance, and commitment to professional journalism.
