Al Anstey, who has served as managing director of Al Jazeera English since 2010, has been named CEO of Al Jazeera America.
Al Anstey replaces interim CEO Ehab Alshihabi, who was responsible for launching Al Jazeera America in 2013. Previously, Al Anstey was the director of news for AJE, in charge of the news division and the editorial content. He was a key member of the start-up team of AJE that designed the editorial vision, recruited editorial staff and set up AJE’s worldwide bureau network.
Al Anstey stated, “I’m delighted to be leading Al Jazeera America into the next stage of its development. The United States is a remarkable country, with amazing people across the nation who are looking for in-depth, trusted, and inspiring stories.
“I’m also very proud to be able to lead a fantastic team at Al Jazeera America who are dedicated to the highest quality storytelling. I am committed to engaging the team and uplifting our collective ambitions, as a much needed channel for American audiences.
“There are human stories across the United States that need to be told. Stories that inspire, enlighten and inform. We are committed to hearing the voices from all parts of the country, and elsewhere in the world, and covering untold stories with integrity and responsibility. The future of Al Jazeera America is to build on a foundation of providing information that is trusted, respected and valued by those that want to know what is really going on across America and the world.
“Having started my career with CBS News and lived in the U.S. later in my career, I’m very pleased to be returning to the U.S. to continue to uphold the highest standards of organizational excellence at the channel, with an absolute commitment to the very best in journalism and storytelling.”
The chairman of Al Jazeera America’s board of directors, Mostefa Souag, stated, “As Al Jazeera America moves forward into this new stage of its development, I am confident Al Anstey’s leadership will transform the channel’s ability to lead in the U.S. marketplace. His demonstrated success leading Al Jazeera English and his passion for the Al Jazeera brand positions him with the unique ability to undertake the strategic changes needed for the success of the channel. I am extremely pleased at Al’s appointment.”
