Jamil Azar, a pioneering journalist who helped shape modern Arabic broadcasting and authored Al Jazeera’s defining motto, has died. The veteran anchor, whose career spanned decades across two of the world’s most influential news organizations, died January 4, 2026.
Born in 1937 in al-Husn, Irbid, Jordan, Azar became synonymous with excellence in Arabic journalism, leaving an indelible mark on generations of reporters and viewers across the Arab world. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues who remembered him as a master of his craft and a mentor to countless journalists.
Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, director-general of Al Jazeera, praised Azar in a statement as a “distinguished linguist” who crafted the network’s enduring motto: “The opinion and the other opinion.” This phrase came to embody Al Jazeera’s founding editorial philosophy of presenting multiple perspectives on contentious issues.
Sheikh Nasser said Azar leaves behind a remarkable and lasting media legacy, a reputation defined by integrity and excellence, and a deep influence on generations of journalists who learned from him at Al Jazeera and other institutions where he served and helped shape professional standards.
With Azar’s passing, Sheikh Nasser emphasized, 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 journey into journalism began far from the newsroom. In 1954, he started his professional life as a biology and mathematics teacher, a background that colleagues said informed his analytical approach to news coverage throughout his career. His transition to broadcasting came in 1965 when he joined the BBC Arabic Service in London.
At the BBC, Azar spent 31 years building a reputation as one of Arabic broadcasting’s most authoritative voices. He worked as a news translator and presenter, roles that required not just linguistic skill but cultural fluency and the ability to convey complex international events to Arabic-speaking audiences worldwide. His work at the BBC between 1965 and 1996 coincided with some of the most turbulent decades in Middle Eastern and global affairs.
During his BBC tenure, Azar held various positions that showcased his versatility. He served as Arabic news editor, a role that placed him at the center of editorial decision-making for one of the world’s most respected news services. As a current affairs presenter, he brought gravitas and clarity to breaking news and analysis programs.
Among his notable assignments was coverage of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia’s state visit to the United Kingdom in 1967, a significant diplomatic event during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. That same year marked a watershed moment in regional politics, and Azar’s reporting helped audiences understand the complex interplay of diplomacy, oil politics, and Cold War dynamics.
Azar also produced several influential programs during his BBC years. “Politics Between Questioner and Respondent” became known for its rigorous interview format, while “Arab Affairs in British Press” provided Arabic-speaking audiences with insight into how British media covered events affecting the Arab world. These programs reflected Azar’s belief in the importance of cross-cultural media awareness and multiple perspectives.
In 1996, Azar made a pivotal career move that would define his legacy. On July 30, 1996, he joined Al Jazeera at its launch, becoming one of the founding figures of a network that would revolutionize Arabic television journalism. His decision to leave the established BBC for an untested startup in Qatar reflected his vision for a new kind of Arabic news channel.
At Al Jazeera, Azar served in multiple capacities that demonstrated his value to the fledgling network. He worked as chief anchor, lending credibility and professionalism to the channel’s on-air presence. As editor-in-chief, he helped establish editorial standards that would guide the network’s coverage. He also served on the editorial board, contributing to strategic decisions about the network’s direction and values.
Azar hosted “The Week in the News,” a program that became a staple of Al Jazeera’s early schedule. The show’s format allowed him to synthesize complex regional and international developments for viewers, a skill honed during his decades at the BBC. His presentation style—authoritative yet accessible—helped establish Al Jazeera’s reputation for serious journalism.
The journalist spent more than 20 years at Al Jazeera before stepping down from the network in 2011. His departure came during a period of dramatic change across the Arab world, as the movements known collectively as the Arab Spring reshaped the region’s political landscape. By that time, Al Jazeera had become one of the most watched and influential news networks in the Arabic-speaking world, with Azar’s contributions instrumental to that success.
Throughout his career, Azar was known among colleagues for his mastery of the Arabic language, a skill that set professional standards for broadcasters across the region. In an era when television news was transforming how Arabic speakers received information, his clear diction and sophisticated use of classical Arabic became a model for aspiring journalists. His linguistic precision reflected a deeper commitment to accuracy and clarity in news presentation.
Beyond his on-air work, Azar earned a reputation as a generous mentor. Colleagues remembered him for his willingness to guide younger journalists, offering advice on everything from editorial judgment to presentation techniques. His humility and openness made him approachable despite his stature in the industry, and many prominent Arabic journalists today credit him with shaping their professional development.
Azar’s influence extended beyond the technical aspects of journalism to broader questions of editorial philosophy and ethics. His authorship of Al Jazeera’s motto reflected his belief that responsible journalism requires presenting competing viewpoints, allowing audiences to form their own conclusions. This approach, while sometimes controversial, became central to Al Jazeera’s identity and influenced how news organizations across the region approached coverage of divisive issues.
The veteran journalist is survived by his wife and two children.
Azar’s career bridged different eras of Arabic broadcasting, from the dominance of state-controlled media to the emergence of satellite television and the rise of independent news channels. His work at both the BBC and Al Jazeera positioned him at the forefront of these transformations, and his contributions helped shape how millions of people across the Arab world and beyond receive and understand news.
At a time when journalism faces unprecedented challenges globally, Azar’s legacy serves as a reminder of the profession’s enduring values: accuracy, fairness, linguistic excellence, and commitment to presenting diverse perspectives. His death marks the end of an era in Arabic broadcasting, but his influence will continue through the journalists he mentored and the editorial principles he helped establish.