Jamil Azar, a pioneering broadcast journalist who authored Al Jazeera’s enduring motto and spent decades shaping Arabic-language news coverage, died January 4, 2026, in London, England. He was 89 years old.
Director-General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani announced Azar’s death on Sunday, praising the veteran journalist as a “distinguished linguist” and crediting him with creating the network’s philosophical foundation.
The director-general added that 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 journalism career spanned more than five decades across two continents and two of the world’s most influential news organizations. Born in 1937 in al-Husn in Irbid, Jordan, he began his professional life far from the newsroom. In 1954, Azar started his career as a biology and math teacher, cultivating skills in clear communication and analytical thinking that would later serve him well in journalism.
His transition to journalism came in 1965 when he joined the BBC Arabic Service in London. Over the next three decades, Azar established himself as one of the most respected voices in Arabic broadcasting, working as a news translator and presenter. His tenure at the BBC lasted 31 years, during which he held various positions that showcased his versatility and journalistic range.
At the BBC, Azar served in multiple capacities that demonstrated his editorial judgment and linguistic expertise. He worked as an Arabic news editor, translator, and current affairs presenter, building a reputation for clarity and precision. Among his notable assignments was reporting on the state visit of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom in 1967, a diplomatic event that highlighted the growing importance of Arab-British relations during a period of significant geopolitical change in the Middle East.
Azar also produced several influential programs during his BBC years, including “Politics Between the Questioner and the Respondent” and “Arab Affairs in the British Press.” These programs reflected his commitment to fostering dialogue and providing Arabic-speaking audiences with comprehensive coverage of political developments and media analysis. His work at the BBC established standards for Arabic broadcast journalism that influenced a generation of journalists working in the language.
In 1996, Azar made a pivotal career move that would define his legacy. He joined Al Jazeera at its launch on July 30, 1996, becoming one of the founding journalists of the Doha-based network that would transform Arabic-language news coverage. His decision to join the fledgling network demonstrated both his vision for the future of Arab journalism and his willingness to take professional risks in pursuit of journalistic excellence.
At Al Jazeera, Azar played multiple leadership roles that helped establish the network’s editorial standards and journalistic identity. He served as chief anchor, editor-in-chief, and a member of the editorial board, positions that gave him significant influence over the network’s direction during its formative years. His experience at the BBC proved invaluable as Al Jazeera sought to establish credibility and professional standards in a competitive media landscape.
Azar hosted “The Week in the News,” one of the network’s signature programs that provided comprehensive analysis of regional and international developments. His presentation style combined gravitas with accessibility, making complex political and social issues understandable to broad audiences across the Arab world. The program became a fixture of Al Jazeera’s programming and helped establish the network’s reputation for in-depth analysis.
His tenure at Al Jazeera lasted more than 20 years before he stepped down from the network in 2011. During those two decades, Azar witnessed and participated in the network’s evolution from a startup operation to a global media force that challenged Western dominance of international news coverage and provided Arabic-speaking audiences with an alternative perspective on world events.
Sheikh Nasser’s statement emphasized Azar’s role as an educator and mentor within the journalism profession, noting that he was a living school of journalism and a trusted reference in editorial practice, the Arabic language, television presentation, and newsroom leadership. Always generous with his guidance and advice, he was known for his humility and openness, and remained steadfastly loyal to Al Jazeera, deeply committed to its values, standing, and reputation.
The qualities that defined Azar’s career—linguistic precision, editorial integrity, and commitment to presenting multiple viewpoints—reflected broader changes in Arabic journalism during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His work at both the BBC and Al Jazeera helped establish professional standards that emphasized accuracy, fairness, and the importance of giving voice to diverse perspectives.
Azar’s influence extended beyond his on-air presence and editorial roles. Colleagues remember him as a mentor who invested time in developing younger journalists and maintaining high standards in an industry often pressured by commercial and political considerations. His approach to journalism emphasized the responsibility of journalists to serve their audiences with accurate, balanced reporting that respects diverse perspectives.
The veteran journalist is survived by his wife and two children. His family witnessed his dedication to journalism across multiple decades and his commitment to the profession even after formally stepping down from full-time broadcasting in 2011.
