Suldaanka Posted February 9, 2006 Rageh Omaar joins Al Jazeera International Al Jazeera International, the 24-hour English language news and current affairs channel, set to broadcast globally in the Spring of 2006, announced today that internationally renowned journalist Rageh Omaar has joined the new channel's line-up and will host a daily documentary programme from the station's London broadcast centre. Rageh will present the channel's daily documentary strand Witness from Al Jazeera International's London broadcast centre. The programme will give voice to witnesses from all over the globe, featuring human stories made by storytellers from all walks of life. Content will be gathered from the channel's broadcast centres strategically placed around the world (Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London & Washington DC) drawing on a new breed of video journalists reaching parts of the world often ignored. The Director of Programming at Al Jazeera International Paul Gibbs said, 'As the channel's daily documentary strand, Witness will be the epitome of traditional storytelling with characters that we care about and age old themes presented by internationally renowned journalist Rageh Omaar.' 'We will be unveiling more of our diverse programme offering as we get closer to launch in late Spring of this year,' Gibbs continued. 'It's hugely exciting to be joining a channel which promises to revolutionise global news and current affairs' said Rageh Omaar 'Witness will be what its title implies - a programme of first-hand account. No academics, no commentators unless they are themselves Witnesses.' Rageh Omaar was most recently BBC News' Africa Correspondent based in Johannesburg. His reporting during the Iraq war made him a household name with nearly 90% of the British population tuning in to see his reports from Baghdad on either the weekday BBC news bulletins, or on News 24. Many of his broadcasts were syndicated across the U.S., where the Washington Post labelled him the 'Scud Stud'. Previously Rageh was Developing World Correspondent for the BBC covering stories ranging from drought in Ethiopia to devastating floods in Mozambique. Prior to that he was Amman correspondent having taken a three-month sabbatical at the University of Jordan to study Arabic. Between 1994 and 1996, he worked as a broadcast journalist for the World Service and then became a producer and reporter for Newshour. Rageh began his journalistic career in 1990 as a trainee at The Voice newspaper in Brixton and then moved to City Limits magazine. In 1991 he moved to Ethiopia where he freelanced as a foreign correspondent, much of his work being broadcast by BBC World Service. In 1992, he returned to London as a producer for Focus on Africa for the World Service at Bush House. Rageh Omaar was born in Mogadishu, Somalia on 19 July 1967. He is the youngest of four children. Educated at Cheltenham Boys College, he went on to Oxford University where he gained a BA Honours in Modern History in 1990. Rageh will continue to make programmes for other broadcasters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baashi Posted February 9, 2006 Good for him and Somalis. I'm so proud of him. We will have a voice and the kids will see the chance to get that far...if he can do it so can i sort of mentality. That's good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking Posted February 9, 2006 Frost and now Raage, good move by Al-Jazeera. They are planning to challenge the 'big-boys' in the coming years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ElPunto Posted February 9, 2006 ^I wonder how their English service is actually doing? I hope they don't overextend themselves based on their success in the Middle East. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dhagax-Tuur Posted February 9, 2006 The best use of Arab money that I have seen so far in an international arena. Riz Khan, Frost, Jacky Rowland, Rageh Omaar etc.....list of prominent media people for the channel is endless. Good for AL-Jazeera, but there is always that bomb threat hanging over! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NASSIR Posted February 10, 2006 Great acquisition----Raage will do great job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodman Posted February 10, 2006 Rageh is an amazing journalist and am sure Al-Jazeera are going to benefit from having him in their English service Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Castro Posted February 10, 2006 ^ Indeed he is and not without an impressive resume to add to his capabalities. I wish him the best and I'm sure it will be one more reason to watch the channel. My only fear is Al-Jazeera changing its hard hitting journalism to "accomodate" English speaking audiences. Clearly, this new channel is not targetting Arabs and may be watered down a bit. Let's hope that's not the case. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DraGon Posted February 10, 2006 ^^^^^^Not water down but change of style. Westerners like to hear it different, they are not as emotional as ppl ME and us. Basically they should just tell the other side of the story, this is what is missing with the status quo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar Posted February 10, 2006 I sent them an email via on their newly established commissioning site in this past Oktoobar, suggesting the upcoming Ingiriis channel hire Mudane Raage Oomaar. Not to get over my head, I think this news bears the fruits of my well-intended –-though unappreciated -- suggestion. They mutually complement one another -- he is Muslim, Soomaali, Carabi-speaking, Ingiriis-speaking, highly regarded journalist, and Aljasiira equally is a firebrand whose heat was felt on certain corridors of power. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Lily- Posted February 10, 2006 I have always admired Rageh for his porfessional achievements and the way he presented the Iraq war as not one big action movie but with a very tragic human side. Oh and how he annoyed the Jewish owned newspapers in the UK. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khayr Posted February 10, 2006 Originally posted by Castro: ^ Indeed he is and not without an impressive resume to add to his capabalities. I wish him the best and I'm sure it will be one more reason to watch the channel. My only fear is Al-Jazeera changing its hard hitting journalism to "accomodate" English speaking audiences. Clearly, this new channel is not targetting Arabs and may be watered down a bit. Let's hope that's not the case. When you become a BUSINESS first and try to reach out to different MARKETS -change to accomodate your TARGET MARKET, becomes inevitable. They will have to play by different rules now and come under the scrutiny of European Broadcasting Boards. MMA said: I sent them an email via on their newly established commissioning site in this past Oktoobar, suggesting the upcoming Ingiriis channel hire Mudane Raage Oomaar. Not to get over my head, I think this news bears the fruits of my well-intended –-though unappreciated -- suggestion. Saxib, You are a good reference, indeed! I think Google is hiring soon, can you put in a good word or two for me, to them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sayyid Posted February 10, 2006 he is Muslim, Soomaali, Carabi-speaking, Ingiriis-speaking, highly regarded journalist, and Aljasiira equally is a firebrand whose heat was felt on certain corridors of power. I agree with you there MMA and I am glad that they've appointed him, but I've to point out that he's not a 'arabic' speaker, just for the records! During his 'stay' in Iraq as a reporter, he attended 'arabic' classes but did not finish it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yeniceri Posted February 10, 2006 Good for him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiilo Posted February 10, 2006 I remember seeing him reporting life from Bagdad, that guy rocks, good for him................ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
