Jamil Azar, a distinguished journalist and iconic figure in Arabic broadcasting, has died. Azar, who authored the defining motto of Al Jazeera, had a remarkable career spanning decades and two of the world’s most noteworthy news organizations. His death occurred on Jan. 3, 2026.
Born in 1937 in al-Husn, Irbid, Jordan, Azar made his mark in Arabic journalism, leaving a significant imprint on numerous reporters and viewers across the Arab world. Following his death, colleagues lauded him as a master of journalism and a mentor to many.
Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani, director general of Al Jazeera, praised Azar as a “remarkable linguist” who coined the network’s enduring motto: “The opinion and the other opinion.” This phrase embodies Al Jazeera’s founding editorial principle of representing diverse viewpoints on contentious subjects.
Sheikh Nasser recognized Azar’s substantial and enduring media legacy, a reputation marked by integrity and excellence, and his significant influence on generations of journalists who learned from him at Al Jazeera and other institutions where he contributed to shaping professional standards.
Sheikh Nasser noted that with Azar’s death, the Arab media industry “loses one of its most esteemed figures, and Al Jazeera says goodbye to one of its most influential and accomplished talents.”
Azar’s journey into journalism started far from the newsroom. In 1954, he started his career as a biology and mathematics teacher, a background that colleagues say informed his analytical approach to news reporting throughout his career. His transition to broadcasting happened in 1965 when he joined the BBC Arabic Service in London.
Azar spent 31 years at the BBC, where he solidified his reputation as one of the most authoritative voices in Arabic broadcasting. His roles at the BBC from 1965 to 1996 were particularly challenging, requiring not just linguistic proficiency but cultural fluency and the skill to explain intricate global events to Arabic-speaking audiences worldwide, during some of the most turbulent decades in Middle Eastern and global affairs.
During his time at the BBC, Azar held various roles, showcasing his versatility. As Arabic news editor, he was at the core of editorial decision-making for one of the world’s most esteemed news services. As a current affairs presenter, he brought depth and clarity to breaking news and analysis programs.
At the BBC, Azar covered significant diplomatic events during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, helping audiences understand the complex dynamics of diplomacy, oil politics, and Cold War tensions.
Azar also produced multiple influential programs during his BBC tenure that underscored his belief in the importance of cross-cultural media awareness and diverse perspectives.
In 1996, Azar made a crucial career move that would significantly define his legacy. In 1996, he joined Al Jazeera at its launch, becoming one of the founding figures of a network that would radically transform Arabic television journalism. His decision to leave the well-established BBC for an untested startup in Qatar reflected his vision for a different kind of Arabic news channel.
At Al Jazeera, Azar held multiple roles that demonstrated his importance to the budding network. As chief anchor, he brought credibility and professionalism to the channel’s on-air presence. As editor-in-chief, he set the 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 principles.
Azar hosted shows like “The Week in the News,” which became a staple of Al Jazeera’s early programming. This format allowed him to synthesize complex regional and global 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 15 years at Al Jazeera before leaving the network in 2011. His exit occurred during a period of significant change across the Arab world, as the movements known collectively as the Arab Spring reshaped the region’s political landscape. By then, Al Jazeera had become one of the most viewed and influential news networks in the Arabic-speaking world, with Azar’s contributions central to its success.
Azar was revered among colleagues for his mastery of the Arabic language, a skill that set professional standards for broadcasters across the region. His clear diction and sophisticated use of classical Arabic became a model for aspiring journalists.
Besides his on-air work, Azar was known as a generous mentor. Colleagues remembered his readiness to guide younger journalists, offering advice on everything from editorial judgment to presentation techniques. Despite his industry stature, his humility and openness made him approachable, and many prominent Arabic journalists today credit him with shaping their professional development.
Azar’s influence extended beyond journalism’s technical aspects to broader questions of editorial philosophy and ethics. His authorship of Al Jazeera’s motto reflected his belief that responsible journalism involves 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 covered divisive issues.
Azar’s career spanned 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 shaped how millions of people across the Arab world and beyond receive and understand news.
Azar’s legacy serves as a testament to the enduring values of journalism: accuracy, fairness, linguistic excellence, and commitment to presenting diverse perspectives. His death signifies the end of an era in Arabic broadcasting, but his influence will persist through the journalists he mentored and the editorial principles he helped establish.