Al Jazeera: History Witness, History Maker
Not only is Al Jazeera an honest witness to history, it is also a maker thereof. It is a privilege that has not been earned by any other media organisation. To me, Al Jazeera does not instigate revolutions, nor does it oust dictators; it simply tells the true story. During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. That is why muzzling Al Jazeera has always been a strategic aim of all the Arab dictatorships and their outside sponsors. They deem Al Jazeera an existential threat. It is really impressive that Al Jazeera has endured all these tremendous pressures. It has not faltered or relented before the mighty tyrannical powers. Central to this undented resolve is the dedication of Al Jazeera’s professional journalists and decision- makers. Before all that was the steel will and wise vision of the Father Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, to whom the entire Arab nation will remain indebted. Sheikh Hamad, who strongly braved all these pressures from the powerful in the Arab or Western worlds, chose to take the side of man; to side with the Arab peoples’ pains and aspirations.
I recall his words to me during a banquet given in his honour in Carthage Palace in the post-revolution Tunisia: “Every time you appeared on Al Jazeera, the ousted President Ben Ali used to call me and express his objection. I always listened to him with patience.” It can be unquestionably said that Al Jazeera’s success cannot be chalked up to money; the fortunes exhausted on the biased media are much more. Al Jazeera’s success boils down to its adherence to it values. At the top of these values comes the pursuit of truth. This is the true key to Al Jazeera’s success. Will others be able to comprehend?
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