Seated behind a vast desk, surrounded by TV screens, deep leather sofas and a wall of global media awards, Wadah Khanfar always cut an impressive figure in his director-general's office at al-Jazeeraheadquarters in the Qatari capital, Doha.
But his career at the top of the most important news organisation in the Arab world ended on Tuesday when he was replaced by a member of the Qatari royal family. It was an abrupt and dramatic move at a critical time in the Middle East.
Khanfar, credited with revolutionising the Arab media landscape, said he was resigning after eight years that consolidated the satellite network's reputation and his own highly influential position.
The new boss is Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, a little-known executive at Qatargas and a member of the fabulously wealthy Gulf country's ruling dynasty – pointing to a clear attempt to exercise greater control.
It is thought that Khanfar had become too independent a figure for the Qataris, and that he had come under pressure from them. Recently al-Jazeera has been accused of pulling its punches over the uprising in Bahrain, where Saudi Arabia dominates regional policy. Al-Jazeera's Lebanon chief, Ghassan Bin Jiddo, resigned in April, apparently in disagreement over coverage of some of the revolts.
But on Tuesday night Khanfar denied speculation that his departure was linked to outside pressure. He told the Guardian: "I have spent eight years with the network. We have been talking in this part of the world about change, about presidents who stay for decades in their posts. I thought maybe it is good to give an example as well, while the network is at the peak of its performance. It's the right moment." » | Ian Black, Middle East editor, and Luke Harding | Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Related »
