Al Jazeera Network has announced that Al Anstey has been appointed MD of Al Jazeera English. In this role, Anstey will lead the channel in its next phase of evolution and will be responsible for overseeing its day-to-day operations across its 65 international bureaux.
Anstey was one of the founders of AJE and a key member of the channel’s start up team. He ran AJE’s News Department after the launch of the channel in November 2006 until earlier this year when he took on the position of director of media development for the Network.
“As Al Jazeera continues to grow, Al’s achievements within the Network and his proven leadership style will help to ensure that Al Jazeera English solidifies its place as one of the world’s most influential international news outlets,” said Wadah Khanfar, DG of Al Jazeera Network, in a statement. “I’m confident that Al’s experience in the newsroom at Al Jazeera English as well as his success in growing the Al Jazeera brand globally will further propel the channel in its mandate of journalism of depth in international news for our audiences across the world.”
Prior to joining Al Jazeera in 2006, Anstey served as head of foreign news at ITN in the UK after many years in the field as senior foreign editor. He also ran ITN’s American operations for two years after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Anstey started his career as a producer at CBS News and then moved to the start-up of Reuters/GMTV as a reporter and news editor. He then joined APTN based in New Delhi and then Sydney, before taking on the position of Asia Editor with responsibility for APTN’s bureaux and coverage in the region.
