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Wadah Khanfar Quotes

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About Wadah Khanfar

Wadah Khanfar (born June 1, 1963) is a renowned Jordanian journalist, media executive, and political commentator, known for his significant contributions to the Arab world's media landscape. Born in the village of Tafas, Jordan, Khanfar studied at the Yarmouk University before pursuing a master's degree in Journalism from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Khanfar began his journalistic career with Al-Jazeera, where he worked for 15 years, serving as director general from 2003 to 2011. Under his leadership, Al-Jazeera expanded its coverage and influence significantly, becoming a prominent voice in the Arab world. His tenure saw the network through major events such as the Iraq War, the Arab Spring, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Khanfar's approach to journalism was marked by his commitment to objective reporting and freedom of speech. He once said, "The role of Al Jazeera is not only to be a window for the world to look at our region, but also for us to look out at the world." This philosophy has guided his work both within Al-Jazeera and in subsequent roles. Post-Al-Jazeera, Khanfar served as director of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies from 2011 to 2015. He is currently a visiting professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, where he teaches courses on Arab media and journalism. Khanfar's influence extends beyond academia and journalism. He is a frequent commentator on regional politics and has authored several books, including "Al-Jazeera: The Story of the Network That Is Rattling Governments and Redefining Arabs" (2012). His work continues to shape discussions on media, politics, and society in the Arab world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The media's role in a democratic society is not just to entertain, but to provide accurate and timely information that allows citizens to make informed decisions."

This quote emphasizes the crucial responsibility of the media in a democratic society. It suggests that beyond mere entertainment, the primary function of the media lies in facilitating informed decision-making by the public. By providing accurate and timely information, the media empowers citizens to participate effectively in democracy, enabling them to make rational choices based on facts rather than speculation or misinformation. Thus, a vibrant, truthful, and responsible media is essential for an informed citizenry and a healthy democratic society.

"Journalism is not a luxury, but a necessity for any functioning democracy."

This quote emphasizes that journalism plays an essential role in the functioning of a democratic society. In a democracy, citizens are entitled to know about the actions and decisions of their government. Journalists serve as watchdogs, holding those in power accountable by reporting on their activities. Thus, journalism is not a luxury or optional aspect of democracy, but rather a fundamental necessity that ensures transparency, fosters informed public debate, and upholds the principles of democracy itself.

"The media has the power to shape public opinion, but it also has the responsibility to reflect reality as accurately and fairly as possible."

This quote by Wadah Khanfar emphasizes that while media holds significant influence over public opinions, it is essential for it to fulfill its responsibility of presenting reality truthfully and impartially. It implies a call to balance power with responsibility, ensuring the dissemination of accurate information for informed decision-making and maintaining trust in the democratic process.

"In times of war or conflict, journalists must continue to work tirelessly to bring truth to light, even when it's difficult or dangerous."

This quote by Wadah Khanfar underscores the crucial role journalists play in society, particularly during times of conflict. It emphasizes that despite the challenging circumstances, such as danger or adversity, journalists should remain dedicated to their profession and continue working to uncover the truth. In doing so, they help ensure accountability, foster informed public discourse, and contribute significantly to upholding democracy and maintaining transparency. The quote serves as a reminder that truth is a vital resource in times of strife and conflict, and journalists are essential for its dissemination.

"The freedom of the press is not just about what we can publish, but also about what we choose not to publish. Ethical journalism requires us to exercise this freedom responsibly."

This quote emphasizes that the essence of press freedom isn't solely in the ability to disseminate information, but also in the choice to withhold certain content. Wadah Khanfar suggests that responsible ethical journalism entails making wise decisions about what to publish based on principles such as truthfulness, fairness, and respect for individuals' privacy and dignity. It underscores the importance of using press freedom judiciously, considering potential impacts on society.

I started as an engineer. I migrated to philosophy and international politics. And I did my studies about African - Africa democracy and democratization in Africa, taking Kenya as a model. And then, while I was doing so in 1996 in South Africa, Al Jazeera was established. So they requested me to be an analyst on African affairs.

- Wadah Khanfar

Politics, Doing, South, Kenya

We have Al Jazeera Arabic news, Al Jazeera English news, of course; we have three sports channels, and we have Al Jazeera Mubasher, which is a live channel that broadcasts live press conferences and symposiums and meetings. And, of course, we have Al Jazeera commentary in Arabic.

- Wadah Khanfar

Sports, News, Which, Commentary

What I like to call 'journalism of depth' is the media that regards the collective conscience of the masses to be its point of departure. It is the media that believes, as a matter of principle, in the potential capabilities of the people and respects their choices.

- Wadah Khanfar

Principle, Capabilities, Depth

The stability and security of authoritarian regimes cannot create but terrorism and violence and destruction. Let us accept the choice of the people. Let us not pick and choose who we would like to rule their future.

- Wadah Khanfar

Like, Rule, Pick And Choose, Authoritarian

The Arab spring was not as radical as the French or Iranian revolutions. It did not pull out the deeply entrenched roots of the state. Instead, it was satisfied to replace the top of the pyramid with newly elected, but inexperienced, leaders.

- Wadah Khanfar

Iranian, Inexperienced, Newly

In 1996, Al Jazeera was the first TV station in the Arab world to allow Israelis to appear on the screen and express their views and address the Arab world. Before that, Arab broadcasters did not allow what was perceived as the enemy to appear on the screen.

- Wadah Khanfar

Allow, TV, Address, Broadcasters

The Arab spring that began in 2010 was driven by the educated youth who were connected to the outside world. They had visions of liberal politics derived from social networks. They used innovative means to spread awareness and to network among activists.

- Wadah Khanfar

Politics, Social Networks, Arab Spring

The Arab spring confirmed that peaceful change is possible and so reinforced the vision of political Islam. The impact of this went beyond the Brotherhood to include the Salafist tendency in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya that had questioned the democratic path.

- Wadah Khanfar

Political, Had, Tendency, Arab Spring

When an international news organization covers a story in Somalia, Yemen, Sudan or wherever, they will fly a crew to go there, spend a few days, interact with some officials and analysts, most of the time English-speaking elite, and file the story and go home.

- Wadah Khanfar

Some, Crew, Interact, Yemen

Al Jazeera should understand the societies, should understand the culture of the civilisation, should understand the dynamics of the societies, should be part of this understanding; and on the other level, Al Jazeera should concentrate on the margin rather than the centre. It means that Al Jazeera should be close to the public.

- Wadah Khanfar

Other, Margin, Means, Civilisation

I started, actually, as an analyst on African affairs, mainly on Al Jazeera. I remember the first few series were about Saudi students, and the negotiations between the government and the Sudanese rebels in the south. And then, slowly, I was speaking about Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and a few other places.

- Wadah Khanfar

I Remember, Other, South, Analyst

For me, Islam is a moral reference point, a source of inspiration to work collectively with people, to love people and to help them, to concentrate on universal values of mercy, co-operation and tolerance.

- Wadah Khanfar

Love, Work, Values, Co-Operation

Al Jazeera is the opinion of other opinion, independent. Al Jazeera is diverse, reflection of the collective mind of the nations and cultures and civilizations that we report from and we report to, bridge of dialogue. This is what Al Jazeera is all about. Al Jazeera is a mission.

- Wadah Khanfar

Mind, Independent, Other, Report

When the Islamic revolution began in 1979 under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, it aroused considerable admiration in the Arab street. It presented a model of organised popular action that deposed one of the region's most tyrannical regimes. The people of the region discerned in this revolution new hope for freedom and change.

- Wadah Khanfar

Islamic, Aroused, Organised, Regimes

At times, some journalists see nothing in the people apart from an opportunity to make material gain. They see them as consumers to whom we sell commodities at huge profits that keep our bank accounts growing.

- Wadah Khanfar

Nothing, Some, Profits, Accounts

Al Jazeera is known in the Arab world as the voice of freedom of expression.

- Wadah Khanfar

Voice, World, Expression, Arab World

We are not a TV station that only concentrate on those who are always under light. We are not a TV station for celebrities and for grand politicians and superstars. We are a TV station for the ordinary person. The normal people, ordinary people in the Arab world sees Al Jazeera as their voice.

- Wadah Khanfar

Voice, TV, Celebrities, Arab World

Al Jazeera is a representation of, you know, diversity in the Arab world. In our newsroom, we have every single nationality, we have every single, you know, ideology, we have every single background. However, when it comes to the screen, we have one code of ethics and one code of conduct.

- Wadah Khanfar

Code, Ideology, However, Arab World

Some people call it the 'Al Jazeera spirit' - courage, re-thinking authority, giving a voice to the voiceless. We have never been favored by the authority. The human being is the center of our editorial policy. We are not a TV station that rushes after stars, big names, press conferences, hand-shake journalism.

- Wadah Khanfar

Voice, Big, Some, Journalism

I think 2001 was the year Al Jazeera started to play an international role, in a way. Because in 2001, we were the only TV station located inside Kabul, and every image out of the war in Afghanistan, the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, came through Al Jazeera screen.

- Wadah Khanfar

Play, Through, TV, International

The international media concentrates on the famous, the big names. Al Jazeera goes to the margins, investigates stories that are still developing and in the future become very big. Why did the Arabic world love Al Jazeera? Everybody felt he was represented in the newsroom and on the screen. That kind of belonging is ours.

- Wadah Khanfar

Love, Big, Margins, International

I do believe, given the heritage of Al Jazeera itself in Arabic and in English, I think Al Jazeera will succeed in introducing another perspective on the news that the American market is in need for.

- Wadah Khanfar

Think, News, Given, Arabic

Al Jazeera is not a tool of revolution. We do not create revolutions. However, when something of that magnitude happens, we are at the center of the coverage.

- Wadah Khanfar

Center, However, Coverage, Tool

I discovered that, in order to write a magnificent piece, you should shoot the images because once you are filming, you are writing the script in your mind.

- Wadah Khanfar

Mind, Discovered, Images, Shoot

There is a very deep conviction in the heart of the people who work in al-Jazeera that if it changes its editorial line, it will very quickly lose its audience. Al-Jazeera has its own style; it has more than 3,500 employees, and I don't think anyone will have the attitude of changing it because they will lose.

- Wadah Khanfar

Deep, Line, Very, Employees

At Al Jazeera, we are getting our local Somalis, Yemenis and Sudanese, local correspondents from within the society, who understand much better than the people who come from overseas. We will get a much better insight.

- Wadah Khanfar

Local, Our, Overseas, Al

News is the backbone of our network; the main commodity and the main successes of Al Jazeera came out of our involvement in covering the news in the Middle East.

- Wadah Khanfar

News, Commodity, Covering, Al

If Al Jazeera America becomes just another mainstream TV station, it is definitely not going to succeed.

- Wadah Khanfar

Going, Another, TV, Al

Because I was once a reporter, I've always felt a sense of estrangement inside the newsroom. The field is alive and interactive, while the newsroom is quiet and stereotypical.

- Wadah Khanfar

Alive, Always, Felt, Stereotypical

The best people to provide valuable information about any society are the children of that society who belong to its culture and are part of its collective conscience.

- Wadah Khanfar

Conscience, Belong, Part, Valuable

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