Spoke to Wadah several times at conferences. Found him to be a very inspiring journalist whose heart lies in investigative journalism of the highest order.
Very interesting to compare the two farewell interviews on Al Jazeera English and the Arabic channels. They are almost identical (Arabic was broadcast first) but in English we get the question “your replacement is a member of the Qatari ruling family..do you think this is going to change something in Al Jazeera editorial policy?"
In the Arabic interview there is no reference to Khanfar`s successor and his ties with the ruling family, and no mention of the Royal family at all. Instead, the presenter in Arabic formulates another statement which is absent from the English version:
”Some people think that this is the start of an era where there will be more open discussion of different political point of views”. Is this a reference to the alleged ideological proximity of Khanfar and some others at AJ to the Muslim Brotherhood?
I am guessing his replacement Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani is interim. Although he has the managerial skills, he doesn't have journalism at his heart the same way Khanfar does. Whatever the case, it's good that Al Jazeera is out there and I am personally very curious as to the role they are about to play in East Africa and the Balkans. These are both areas where dialogue is desperately needed.
Al Jazeera's Wadah Khanfar on why he stepped down - YouTube: ""
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the resignation of the director Wadah Khanfar Jazeera network - YouTube:
'via Blog this'
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