Veteran broadcaster Jamil Azar, who spent 31 years at the BBC and more than two decades at Al Jazeera, has died at the age of 88. Colleagues have paid tribute to the Jordanian-born journalist, describing him as one of the 'brightest and most influential stars' of the industry.
Azar began his career as a maths and biology teacher in 1954 before joining the BBC World Service Arabic Radio in 1965. He served as Arabic news editor, translator and current affairs presenter, and covered the state visit of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to the UK in 1967. He also produced programmes including 'Politics Between The Questioner And The Respondent' and 'Arab Affairs In The British Press'.
In 1996, Azar joined Al Jazeera at its launch, becoming chief anchor, editor-in-chief and an editorial board member. He hosted the channel's first post-launch programme, 'The Week In The News', and authored its enduring motto: 'The opinion, and the other opinion'. He stepped down from the network in 2011.
Al Jazeera's director-general, Sheikh Nasser Bin Faisal Al Thani, said: 'Jamil 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.' He added that Azar was 'in every sense, a living school of journalism'.
Born in al-Husn, Irbid, Jordan, in 1937 into one of the oldest Christian families in the region, Azar survived a near-fatal infection at age two. He moved to the UK in the year he joined the BBC. He is survived by his wife and two children. Social media tributes have highlighted his dignified presentation and commitment to balanced discourse.
