Media UK

Al Jazeera English - news archive

This is an archive of news about Al Jazeera English. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

Al Jazeera to live stream on Polish news channel
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 14 2008, 11.00pm
Al Jazeera English is the first international broadcaster to live stream news on Onet.pl (more)

Al Jazeera English wins gong at TV festival
From Biz Asia. Posted June 13 2008, 12.21pm
Al Jazeera English (AJE) has won the award for 'Best 24 Hour News Programme' at the prestigious 48th Monte Carlo Television Festival. The Award recognized Al Jazeera English's extensive international reach and efforts to dig deeper to give its international audience a richer understanding of the events that affect their lives. Al Jazeera English beat entries from BBC News, Sky News, Lisboa TV and the Phoenix Satellite Television Company to take home the award. Among the specific reports highlighted at the Festival were Nour Odeh's groundbreaking reports from Gaza, where she brought the suffering of the Gazan people to life when she was caught in the middle of a violent street battle between Hamas and Fatah. While shooting live in Gaza, Nour and her producer Ashraf Al-Amritti lost contact with the newsroom in Doha and were forced to rely on their mobile phone to continue reporting events as they occurred. Once the live video feed returned, Nour's cameraman, Iyad Al-Dahdouh, filmed the continued fighting while coming under RPG and small arms fire. Following the broadcast of the fighting on Al Jazeera, both sides in the Gaza battles agreed to a ceasefire. In addition to 'Best 24 Hour News Programme', AJE received nominations in every news category at the awards show, including 'Best TV Item' for James Bays' Taliban Embedded, which was awarded a second place prize, and 'Best News Documentary' for Tony Birtley's Inside Myanmar - The Crackdown. Commenting on the nominations, AJE's Managing Director Tony Burman said, "I am very excited that the AJE Newshour has been recognized as the best 24 hour news program in the world. For me, the award demonstrates the commitment of AJE's staff to giving a voice to the voiceless, of telling vital stories that are not on the agenda of the western news networks. Whether risking their lives to cover the bloodshed in Gaza, to travel with a Taliban cell in Afghanistan or to tell the world the real story from inside Myanmar, where we are the only international broadcaster with a permanent presence, AJE employees are telling the untold story and are putting real people back at the center of the news agenda. I am extremely proud that the world is paying attention to the hard work and dedication of the AJE staff, and each and every one of them should be congratulated for this recognition." Al Jazeera English launched in November 2006 with the goal of balancing the flow of news from the global south to the north and covering stories which are rarely seen in international news broadcasts. Using broadcast centers strategically placed in Kuala Lumpur, Doha, London and Washington, DC and bureaus around the world, AJE is posed to continue bringing its unique perspective on world events to over 110 million households around the world. Related links: Al Jazeera appoints new MD for English news channel Al Jazeera English celebrates one year on-air Al Jazeera English in talks with Virgin Media Al Jazeera English makes official launch (more)

Al Jazeera English retools after defections - Herald Tribune
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 18 2008, 12.41pm
The English-language offshoot of Al Jazeera, the Arabic television news network, is pushing for a “breakthrough” that would make the channel available to American TV viewers and help it move beyond a turbulent start-up phase, according to its new managing director, Tony Burman. The hiring of Burman, a former editor in chief of the Canadian Broadcasting [...] (more)

Al Jazeera appoints new MD for English news channel
From Biz Asia. Posted May 14 2008, 9.46pm
The Al Jazeera Network today announced that it has appointed Tony Burman as the new Managing Director for the Al Jazeera English channel. He replaces Nigel Parsons who will assume the position of Managing Director of Business Acquisition & Development. The appointment of Mr. Burman comes as the relatively new channel embarks on the next stage of its development with expansion of programming, bureaus, audience reach and investigative journalism. Until recently, he was Editor in Chief and Executive Director of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC News) and has been an award-winning news and documentary producer with field experience in more than 30 countries and several continents including the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America. Mr. Burman, while head of CBC's news and current affairs operations, the largest news organization in Canada, implemented the successful integration of CBC’s radio, TV and online operations. Wadah Khanfar, the Director General of the Al Jazeera Network stated, "Al Jazeera welcomes Tony in his new role and we look forward to his contribution in building on Al Jazeera's success as one of the world’s most influential broadcast news brands. The current change is designed to enrich the core of Al Jazeera’s mission – its journalism of depth, its commitment to providing a diversity of viewpoints, its dedication to giving “a voice to the voiceless" and ensuring that the human story is at the centre of the news agenda." Tony Burman, commenting upon his appointment stated, "I am proud to be assuming this role and I look forward to building on my predecessor Mr. Parsons achievements. Al Jazeera’s newsrooms are the most diverse in the world, drawing on journalists, broadcast executives, production personnel and support staff from more than 50 countries and I look forward to capitalizing on this strength through increased investment in investigative journalism, more provocative and insightful current affairs and expansion of the Network's large worldwide network of more than 60 news bureaus. In the months ahead, I will also put an emphasis on the expansion of Al Jazeera’s vast audience reach into important new areas of the world, most notably North America." The English channel was launched in November 2006 and is now available to more than 100 million households worldwide. It is availble on the Sky Digital platform in the UK. (more)

Al Jazeera appoints new chief to oversee US drive
From Press Gazette. Posted May 14 2008, 12.00am
Al Jazeera English has appointed a new managing director charged with overseeing expansion into North America. (more)

Al Jazeera Hires Aberdeen Company
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted April 30 2008, 8.04am
An Aberdeen media and communications agency has been hired by Middle East broadcaster, Al Jazeera, to help train its staff. AVC Media Enterprises will be working with staff serving Europe and America. The training will include documentary making and editing. Al Jazeera English is the first... (more)

Arabic children’s channel makes UK launch
From Biz Asia. Posted March 17 2008, 9.05pm
A channel aimed at Arab children has launched on Sky Digital. The conveniently named Al Jazeera Children's Channel (JCC), presents a range of discovery and learning programs to provide children with information about other cultures, environments, and the world they live in. JCC has made its debut on channel 831 on the Sky Digital platform replacing Mez TV which previously occupied the slot. JCC is a free-to-air channel meaning no subscription is required to view the channel. Related links: Al Jazeera English celebrates one year on-air Al Jazeera English in talks with Virgin Media Al Jazeera English up for Digital Award Al Jazeera to launch new documentary channel Al Jazeera English makes official launch (more)

‘Western media is failing to correct errors about Islam’
From Press Gazette. Posted February 27 2008, 12.00am
The Western media is failing to correct serious factual errors about Islam and the Middle East, according to an Al Jazeera English anchor. (more)

Al Jazeera English plans relaunch with ?new programmes and new people?
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 28 2008, 12.46pm
Al Jazeera English (AJE) is aiming to turn up the heat on its rivals in the global 24-hour news broadcasting industry.  The station, which celebrated its first anniversary last November, is planning a hard relaunch in the second-quarter with “new programmes and new people”.  Nigel Parsons, AJE’s managing director, says that the broadcaster is in ‘pole [...] (more)

Clark sees AJE in work tribunal
From Press Gazette. Posted December 21 2007, 12.00am
The former head of news and programmes at Al Jazeera English has taken the broadcaster to an employment tribunal. (more)

Al Jazeera: 'It's no hangout for al-Qa'ida'
From The Independent. Posted November 19 2007, 12.55am
Stepping out of his studio at Al Jazeera English and striding purposefully on to the street, Sir David Paradine Frost seems impervious to London's winter chill, as he briefly adjourns from filming and heads up Knightsbridge to the Library Bar of the Lanesborough hotel, where the staff nod to him in recognition and the barman promptly reaches for a bottle of the presenter's favourite Chablis. (more)

US airing for Al Jazeera is imminent, claims Phillips
From Press Gazette. Posted November 19 2007, 12.00am
Al Jazeera English will launch on an American network within the next six months, according to its London bureau chief. (more)

Al Jazeera US launch imminent, says London bureau chief
From Press Gazette. Posted November 19 2007, 12.00am
Al Jazeera English will launch on an American network within the next six months, according to its London bureau chief. (more)

Al Jazeera English celebrates one year on-air
From Biz Asia. Posted November 14 2007, 11.03pm
Al Jazeera English will celebrate its one year anniversary tomorrow (15th November). Since its launch in 2006, the channel has been setting the news agenda with award winning reporting from the under-represented corners of the globe. "We can all be proud of our achievements. We proved the sceptics wrong and created a new channel that is already recognised as one of the major voices in global journalism," said Managing Director of Al Jazeera English, Nigel Parsons To mark the passing of its maiden year, Al Jazeera English will promote its extensive editorial scope with some of its best known presenters reporting live from key stories across the world. The channel will showcase its dedication to accurate hard-hitting journalism through the exclusive broadcast of up to date special reports and first person accounts from some of the children who have been directly affected by the complex issues at the core of many landmark stories. With it's four broadcast centres in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC, Al Jazeera English is the first international TV news channel to provide a single 24-hour news feed to the entire English-speaking world. Just recently the channel was acclaimed for producing unparalleled and exclusive coverage from Myanmar, Burma – where undercover reporters vividly portrayed the violence that was used against protestors. Other high points in Al Jazeera English’s remarkable first year included being the only English-speaking TV station covering the Hamas takeover from inside Gaza, with its own offices becoming part of the battleground, its unrivalled coverage of the conflict between the rebel and Government/NATO forces in Afghanistan, being the first to announce Tony Blair’s new job after finishing as British PM, with the Middle East Quartet, and some historic one-on-one interviews with leading figure from all over the world. Related links: Al Jazeera English in talks with Virgin Media Al Jazeera English makes official launch (more)

Al Jazeera English: 1st Anniversary
From Rapid TV News. Posted November 13 2007, 8.11pm
A guest blogger to Rapid TV News asks why US viewers cannot watch Al Jazeera’s English network. (more)

Chewing the cud in the ultimate nimby
From Press Gazette. Posted November 13 2007, 12.00am
While Al Jazeera English’s strength in foreign news and politics is to be applauded, a year on its reluctance to criticise its owner, the micro-state of Qatar, gives cause for concern (more)

ARY cameraman dead in Bhutto rally blast
From Biz Asia. Posted October 18 2007, 11.32pm
Pakistani broadcaster ARY Digital is mourning the death of one of its cameramen who was one of hundreds killed in the Benazir Bhutto rally blasts in Karachi, Pakistan. A suspected suicide bomber is said to have been among a crowd in Karachi watching former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's return from exile. The director of DM Digital Dr Rehman Malik and one its presenters Mazher Bukhari have also been reported to be injured in the bomb blasts. At the time of filing this article, 115 people had been confirmed dead in the explosions by Pakistani police. News broadcasters BBC News, Sky News CNN, NDTV 24x7, Al Jazeera English, Aaj Tak and ARY Digital all switched to rolling coverage for breaking news from the scene of the catastrophe at around 20:30 earlier this evening. Updated: 19/10/07 (more)

Al Jazeera English in talks with Virgin Media
From Digital Spy. Posted September 26 2007, 10.52am
Reports suggest Al Jazeera English is in carriage talks with Virgin Media. (more)

Al-Jazeera English to launch in South Africa
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 30 2007, 10.52am
Text of report by Cambridge-based Broadband TV News website on 30 May International news channel Al Jazeera English is to join the Multichoice DStv platform in Africa. The channel will go live tomorrow (31 May) at 10.00 Central African Time and take channel 62 in the Multichoice EPG. “We are pleased at the addition of Al Jazeera [...] (more)

Al Jazeera English up for Digital Award
From Biz Asia. Posted May 4 2007, 10.40am
Recently launched international news channel Al Jazeera English has been nominated for an award at this year's Broadcast Digital Channel Awards. Al Jazeera English, which launched last November, will be competing in the 'Best News Channel' category along with favourites Sky News and CNBC Europe. Surprisingly no other Asian TV or radio channel made it to the final shortlist. The awards are in its third year and showcases the best of digital TV and radio channels. The Awards will be held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Wednesday 6th June 2007. (more)

Online marketplace for video and TV launched
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 16 2007, 12.23pm
Jalipo, a new online distribution network for high-quality TV and video content that aims to act as an alternative to YouTube, launched today with partners including BBC World and Al Jazeera English. Jalipo, which has the former president of Sony Europe Chris Deering as its chairman, will offer a pay-as-you-go credit service to consumers wanting to [...] (more)

Al Jazeera English in YouTube partnership
From Digital Spy. Posted April 16 2007, 11.18am
Al Jazeera English launches a branded channel on YouTube. (more)

AJE gains carriage in Israel
From Digital Spy. Posted November 30 2006, 9.15am
Al Jazeera English gains carriage on Israeli satellite TV provider Yes. (more)

Al Jazeera English gets cold shoulder from US broadcasters
From Press Gazette. Posted November 16 2006, 10.06am
10am: Despite almost a year-long campaign, hardly any US cable networks or TV outlets have signed up to carry Al Jazeera English (more)

Al Jazeera English 'doesn't want to follow the pack'
From Press Gazette. Posted November 16 2006, 12.00am
Al Jazeera's long-awaited English language rolling news channel is determined not to "follow the pack" but set its own news agenda. (more)

Al Jazeera English launches on satellite, but delayed launch the Web
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 15 2006, 1.00pm
Al Jazeera’s English-language channel launched as planned at 1200 UTC. The launch programme started off very smoothly, though we did note some lip-syncing problems, which comes with the territory of using so many simultaneous satellite feeds. However, the new English website was more than an hour late coming online. Initially, we got a number of error messages, [...] (more)

Josh Rushing: My Life in Media
From The Independent. Posted January 1 1970, 12.59am
Josh Rushing, 35, is the military correspondent for Al Jazeera English. Rushing's new book, Mission Al Jazeera: Build a Bridge, Seek the Truth, Change the World, chronicles his transformation from being the face of America on Al Jazeera during the Iraq invasion, to the face of Al Jazeera in America during the launch of its new English-language channel. Much to the chagrin of the Pentagon, his efforts as a spokesperson for US Central Command to understand Al Jazeera's perspective of the invasion were featured in the 2004 documentary Control Room. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, Paige, and two sons, Luke and Ethan. The couple are expecting their third child in February. (more)