Jamil Azar, a trailblazing journalist who played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary Arabic broadcasting and was the author of Al Jazeera’s defining motto, has passed away. The seasoned anchor, whose illustrious career spanned decades and two of the world’s most influential news organizations, passed away on January 3, 2026.
Azar, born in 1937 in al-Husn, Irbid, Jordan, became a figurehead for excellence in Arabic journalism, leaving a lasting impact on generations of reporters and viewers throughout the Arab world. Colleagues who remembered him as a master of his craft and mentor to many journalists expressed their reminiscences and admiration following his death.
Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, director-general of Al Jazeera, commended Azar as a “distinguished linguist” who crafted the network’s enduring motto: “The opinion and the other opinion.” This mantra encapsulates Al Jazeera’s founding editorial philosophy of representing multiple viewpoints on contentious issues.
Sheikh Nasser acknowledged that Azar leaves behind an impressive and enduring media legacy, a reputation characterized by integrity and excellence, and a profound influence on generations of journalists who learned from him at Al Jazeera and other institutions where he served and helped shape professional standards.
With Azar’s passing, Sheikh Nasser highlighted, Arab media “loses one of its most respected figures and Al Jazeera bids farewell to one of its brightest and most influential stars.”
Azar’s entrance into journalism began far from the newsroom. In 1954, he started his professional life as a biology and mathematics teacher, a career that colleagues said informed his analytical approach to news coverage throughout his career. His shift to broadcasting occurred in 1965 when he joined the BBC Arabic Service in London.
During his 31-year tenure at the BBC, Azar consolidated his reputation as one of the most authoritative voices in Arabic broadcasting. He served as a news translator and presenter, roles that demanded not just linguistic prowess but cultural fluency and the ability to convey intricate international events to Arabic-speaking audiences globally. His work at the BBC from 1965 to 1996 coincided with some of the most tumultuous decades in Middle Eastern and global affairs.
In his time at the BBC, Azar held various positions that displayed his versatility. He served as Arabic news editor, a role that positioned him at the heart of editorial decision-making for one of the world’s most respected news services. As a current affairs presenter, he brought depth and clarity to breaking news and analysis programs.
During his BBC tenure, he provided coverage of significant diplomatic events during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, assisting audiences to comprehend the complex interplay of diplomacy, oil politics, and Cold War dynamics.
Azar also produced several influential programs during his BBC tenure that reflected his belief in the significance of cross-cultural media awareness and multiple perspectives.
In 1996, Azar made a pivotal career move that would come to define his legacy. On July 30, 1996, he joined Al Jazeera at its launch, becoming one of the founding figures of a network that would revolutionize Arabic television journalism. His decision to leave the established BBC for an unproven startup in Qatar reflected his vision for a different kind of Arabic news channel.
At Al Jazeera, Azar held multiple roles that demonstrated his importance to the nascent network. He worked as chief anchor, lending credibility and professionalism to the channel’s on-air presence. As editor-in-chief, he helped establish the editorial standards that would guide the network’s coverage. He also served on the editorial board, contributing to strategic decisions about the network’s direction and values.
Azar hosted programs like “The Week in the News,” which became a staple of Al Jazeera’s early schedule. The show’s format allowed him to synthesize complex regional and international developments for viewers, a skill honed during his decades at the BBC. His presentation style—authoritative yet accessible—helped establish Al Jazeera’s reputation for serious journalism.
The journalist spent 15 years at Al Jazeera before stepping down from the network in 2011. His departure came during a period of dramatic change across the Arab world, as the movements known collectively as the Arab Spring reshaped the region’s political landscape. By that time, Al Jazeera had become one of the most watched and influential news networks in the Arabic-speaking world, with Azar’s contributions instrumental to that success.
Throughout his career, Azar was known among colleagues for his mastery of the Arabic language, a skill that set professional standards for broadcasters across the region. In an era when television news was transforming how Arabic speakers received information, his clear diction and sophisticated use of classical Arabic became a model for aspiring journalists. His linguistic precision reflected a deeper commitment to accuracy and clarity in news presentation.
In addition to his on-air work, Azar earned a reputation as a generous mentor. Colleagues remembered him for his willingness to guide younger journalists, offering advice on everything from editorial judgment to presentation techniques. His humility and openness made him approachable despite his stature in the industry, and many prominent Arabic journalists today credit him with shaping their professional development.
Azar’s influence extended beyond the technical aspects of journalism to broader questions of editorial philosophy and ethics. His authorship of Al Jazeera’s motto reflected his belief that responsible journalism requires presenting competing viewpoints, allowing audiences to form their own conclusions. This approach, while sometimes controversial, became central to Al Jazeera’s identity and influenced how news organizations across the region approached coverage of divisive issues.
Azar’s career bridged different eras of Arabic broadcasting, from the dominance of state-controlled media to the emergence of satellite television and the rise of independent news channels. His work at both the BBC and Al Jazeera positioned him at the forefront of these transformations, and his contributions helped shape how millions of people across the Arab world and beyond receive and understand news.
At a time when journalism faces unprecedented challenges globally, Azar’s legacy serves as a reminder of the profession’s enduring values: accuracy, fairness, linguistic excellence, and commitment to presenting diverse perspectives. His death marks the end of an era in Arabic broadcasting, but his influence will continue through the journalists he mentored and the editorial principles he helped establish.
