A Family That Broadcasts Together Stays Together

Michael Hedges September 22, 2011 Follow on Twitter

There are many survival rules for media executives. One is never embarrass the boss or his wife. Another, more important, is never upstage the boss. There are no cultural exceptions.

Al Jazeera Network board chairman Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer al-Thani replaced General Director Wadah Khanfar (September 20) in what some believe is fallout from a Wikileaks disclosure. It could be bigger than that. Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, like Sheikh Hamad a member of the Qatari royal family, was named successor.

Mr. Khanfar became Al Jazeera’s managing director in 2003, then general director in 2006. Before taking a management role he’d been the channel’s Baghdad bureau chief, notably ruffling the feathers of then US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and others. During his tenure Al Jazeera has grown from one Arabic language satellite channel to a regional and, arguably, broader power in international broadcasting.

“I think everyone will agree that Al Jazeera is stronger than ever,” said Mr. Khanfar, quoted by Arabian Business (September 20). “Our coverage has been exceptional and is now widely viewed.”

A US diplomatic cable from October 2010 released by Wikileaks in August suggests Mr. Khanfar promised to “tone down items on the station’s website” in response to “US complaints of negative coverage.” No doubt it was a bit embarrassing.  The “Arab street” continues to view the United States government negatively even though many Gulf State rulers take a more pragmatic approach, at least informally. The “utterly over-the-top, enthusiastic cheerleading for the rebels” in Al Jazeera’s coverage of the revolution in Libya, said one commentator, coincided with Qatar’s rulers open support – with fighter jets – of Muammar Qaddafi’s ouster.

Much about Al Jazeera, and indeed Wadah Khanfar, has been controversial in one corner or another. “From the first day of the Wadah Khanfar era, there was a dramatic change, especially because of him selecting assistants who are hardline Islamists,” said former Washington bureau chief Hafez Al-Mirazi, quoted by the Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication (2010). Lebanon bureau chief Ghassan Bin Jiddo resigned last April in a disagreement over “Arab Spring” coverage.

Controversy aside, Mr. Khanfar’s star rose conspicuously along with Al Jazeera. In 2010 Arabian Business voted him the 13th most influential Arab. Lucky number, yes? The same year Interbrand ranked Al Jazeera among the world’s top media brands.

Wadah Khanfar’s downfall surprised many, largely because of his high profile and the network’s success. It might, however, be part of a bigger picture within the Qatari government and ruling family, suggested Reuters Breakingviews Middle East correspondent Una Galani. “The quiet frenzy of speculation surrounding the departure of the man widely credited for putting the outspoken broadcaster on the map underscores Qatar's awkward membership of the Kings’ club,” she wrote (September 21).

“By consolidating the ruling family’s power at the top, it will now be even harder for Al Jazeera to claim it is free from bias, and more difficult to dismiss the complaints of foreign governments,” Ms Galani continued. “The reshuffle (at Al Jazeera) may be in the best interests of Qatar, which has recently discovered that its immense wealth gives it international clout independently from its broadcaster.”

In a statement emailed to the Al Jazeera staff (September 20), Mr. Khanfar said he’d been “discussing my desire to step down with the chairman of the board. He has kindly expressed understanding and has accepted my decision.”

Incoming general director Sheikh Ahmed has lots of experience in the oil and gas business, starting with engineering degrees and on to COO for engineering at Qatargas, according to Gulf Times (September 20).

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