Al Jazeera Network to cut 500 jobs

In a statement issued on Sunday, the media network said the redundancies are part of “a workforce optimisation initiative” and a response to the on-going transformation of the media landscape. It noted that the decision would affect around 500 positions worldwide, the majority of which are based in Qatar.

On his part, acting director general of the network, Dr Mustafa Souag, clarified that the management has been working on this procedure over the past few months. He noted that it comes in the context of ensuring the network’s leadership position and its continued development.

Souag stressed that this review will allow the network to develop its capacity to cope with media developments and continue as an independent media establishment that offers distinctive news coverage from all over the world.

It is noteworthy that Al-Jazeera Network launched its Arabic news channel in 1996 and then expanded to include: Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Documentaries, Al Jazeera Mubasher, and Al Jazeera Peninsula and the Balkans. It has offices in more than 70 cities in five continents.