Al Jazeera celebrates 25th anniversary

Tribune News Network Doha Al Jazeera Media Network celebrated its Silver Jubilee at its headquarters in Doha on Monday under the theme ‘Al Jazeera 25 Years...

Tribune News NetworkDohaAl Jazeera Media Network celebrated its Silver Jubilee at its headquarters in Doha on Monday under the theme ‘Al Jazeera 25 Years, a Unique Path’. The celebration was attended by the Father Amir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Jazeera Media Network HE Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, intellectuals, prominent media executives, as well as the Network’s management and journalists.Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer, who welcomed HH the Father Amir on behalf of the employees of the Network, said that Al Jazeera celebrated two occasions -- celebrating a quarter of a century since its inception and celebrating the attendance of HH the Father Amir, who founded and sponsored the organisation from the beginning.He said, “A quarter of a century since the launch of Al Jazeera Channel, the Arab is no longer just a consumer of the world’s media, but rather part of the dialogue. Over time, Arabs had become both messengers and receivers of content. Al Jazeera has given the Arabs a platform to talk about themselves by themselves. “As a result, it has provided the opportunity to contribute positively to the formation of global awareness and to build a better global understanding of this region with all its humanity, civilisation, hopes and pain.”Dr Mostefa Souag, acting director-general of the Network, said the Network has established a unique media model and knowledge paradigm over the past two decades, which cannot be disregarded as it has become a gauge for the success of professional media endeavours across the world.He added, “The extremely high editorial standards, for which we aim, and that define Al Jazeera’s unique journalistic brand, means that we are at times judged for not meeting our own standards. It is of critical importance to continue to uphold Al Jazeera’s founding editorial pillars as any deviation from them could negatively impact the Al Jazeera brand.”Addressing the gathering, Ahmed Al Yafei, managing director of Al Jazeera News Channel, said: “Celebrating the Silver Jubilee is celebrating the message and purpose for which Al Jazeera was launched 25 years ago. I pay tribute to the journalists who lost their lives and were incarcerated for defending freedom of expression.”“Celebrating the achievements of Al Jazeera is celebrating its legacy, on which the founders have entrusted our colleagues to build. It’s my honour to stand before you to greet you all and appreciate your work. Because our audience always deserve the very best content from Al Jazeera, we are happy to announce the official launch of our new newsroom and studios, presenting our news and programmes using the latest technology in the industry, in keeping Al Jazeera a pioneering media organisation regionally and globally.” Yafei added.Marking the 25th anniversary, Al Jazeera Channel debuted its revitalised flagship facilities in Doha featuring three distinct studios and two high-end newsrooms, each capable of 360° shooting plans supported by cutting-edge technology and automations. The Channel unveiled the new studios along with its forward-thinking series of broadcast working environments and myriad programmes. As part of its Silver Jubilee celebration, the Network produced a series of films that documented aspects of Al Jazeera’s journey and featured those who witnessed its most prominent milestones. Those documentaries are being broadcasted now on Al Jazeera News Channel, Al Jazeera English Channel and Al Jazeera Mubasher Channel.In addition, the Network has published a number of books, which were contributed by Al Jazeera journalists and senior management; and research delving into the Network’s history. Short promotional clips were also developed by Al Jazeera and broadcasted on the Network’s screens and digital channels. Since its inception in 1996 as a single independent channel deciding to challenge the status quo in the regional media landscape, it has now become one of the largest and most influential, international news Networks in the world.Al Jazeera’s transformative journey over the past 25 years has been rich with editorial vision, journalistic spirit and determination to tell the human stories from all corners of the globe. It challenged and established narratives and gave global audiences an alternative voice — one that put the human being back at the centre of the news agenda, introducing what came to be known as the ‘Al Jazeera Phenomena’. Al Jazeera Media Network now comprises of five broadcasting channels (Al Jazeera Channel, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Balkans, Al Jazeera Documentary, Al Jazeera Mubasher), more than 40 distinct digital platforms, including websites, AJ+, podcasts and more. The Network also launched a Centre for Studies, a Public Liberties and Human Rights Centre and a Media Institute to invest in future generations. The Network has remained committed to its journalistic mission, and in the process, has become one of the largest and most influential international news networks in the world.