Jamil Azar, an influential journalist who significantly impacted Arabic-language broadcasting for over half a century, passed away on January 3, 2026.
Azar, the author of Al Jazeera’s enduring slogan “The opinion and the other opinion,” left a profound impact on Arab media through his service at two of the world’s most prominent news organizations. His career included more than 15 years at Al Jazeera and several decades at the BBC, positioning him as a central player in the development of Arabic journalism during a transformative era for the broadcasting industry.
Following his death, Director-General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani lauded him as a “distinguished linguist” in a released statement.
“Jamil Azar leaves a significant 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,” Sheikh Nasser said. “He was, in every sense, a living school of journalism and a trusted reference in editorial practice, the Arabic language, television presentation, and newsroom leadership.”
Azar was born in 1937 in al-Husn, Irbid, Jordan, and initially started his professional journey far from journalism. He began his career in 1954 as a biology and math teacher, illustrating the academic rigor that would later mark his journalistic work. His shift to journalism occurred in 1965 when he joined the BBC Arabic Service, signaling the start of a noteworthy broadcasting career that would span continents and decades.
During his tenure at the BBC from 1965 to 1996, Azar held multiple roles that demonstrated his versatility and editorial judgment. He worked as a news translator and presenter, roles that required both linguistic accuracy and on-air presence. He also served as Arabic news editor, a position that put him at the heart of editorial decision-making for one of the world’s most esteemed news organizations.
Azar’s production contributions at the BBC included several significant programs that tackled political and media issues impacting the Arab world, scrutinizing regional politics and Western media coverage of Arab affairs.
The year 1996 marked an essential transition in Azar’s career. He joined Al Jazeera at its launch on July 30, 1996, becoming part of the founding team that would revolutionize Arabic-language news broadcasting. The network’s emergence represented a crucial moment for Arab media, introducing a new model of journalism to the region that emphasized multiple perspectives and editorial independence.
At Al Jazeera, Azar took on roles of increasing responsibility and influence. He served as chief anchor, a position that made him one of the network’s most identifiable voices during its early years. He also held the position of editor-in-chief and served on the editorial board, roles that allowed him to influence the network’s editorial direction and professional standards.
Azar hosted “The Week in the News,” a program that became a staple of Al Jazeera’s programming during its formative years. His on-air presence merged linguistic sophistication with journalistic authority, attributes that earned him respect across the Arab world and established him as one of the longest-serving news anchors globally.
Arguably, Azar’s most lasting contribution to Al Jazeera was conceptual rather than operational. He authored the network’s motto, “The opinion and the other opinion,” a phrase that encapsulated the organization’s commitment to presenting multiple perspectives on contentious issues. This editorial philosophy set Al Jazeera apart from state-controlled media outlets that dominated the Arab media landscape at the time and helped establish the network as a platform for diverse voices and viewpoints.
Azar retired from Al Jazeera in 2011. His retirement marked the end of an era for an organization he had helped build from the ground up into a global news powerhouse with reach across multiple continents and platforms.
Sheikh Nasser’s tribute underscored Azar’s personal qualities alongside his professional achievements, emphasizing his humility, openness, and generosity in providing guidance and advice. The director-general described him as someone who remained loyally devoted to Al Jazeera and deeply committed to its values, standing, and reputation throughout his tenure and beyond.
The impact of Azar’s career extended beyond his individual accomplishments. His work at both the BBC and Al Jazeera spanned a period of profound change in Arabic media, from the dominance of state-controlled broadcasting to the emergence of satellite television and digital platforms. His commitment to professional standards and editorial integrity helped establish benchmarks for Arabic journalism that influenced subsequent generations of reporters, editors, and anchors.
Throughout his career, Azar demonstrated mastery of the Arabic language that set him apart in the broadcasting field. His linguistic precision and eloquence became hallmarks of his on-air work, contributing to his reputation as a distinguished linguist. This expertise proved particularly valuable in journalism, where precise language serves as the foundation for accurate reporting and clear communication.
Sheikh Nasser noted that with Azar’s passing, Arab media “loses one of its most respected figures and Al Jazeera bids farewell to one of its brightest and most influential stars.” The statement reflected the widespread recognition of Azar’s contributions to journalism and his role in shaping modern Arabic broadcasting.
Azar is survived by his wife and two children. His legacy includes not only his own remarkable body of work but also his influence on the journalists he mentored and the professional standards he helped establish at institutions that continue to shape global news coverage.