One of the Qatari news agency Al Jazeera’s top executives has vehemently denied all news
collaboration between the network and the Iranian government. According to Al Jazeera
Mubasher managing director, Ayman Gaballah, all of Al Jazeera’s employees are independent
journalists who do not take orders from foreign governments. “All of Al Jazeera’s media
affiliates and reporters strive to report the news fairly and honestly. We are not
on the payroll of any Iranian, Saudi, American, or any other non-Qatari agency”, said Gaballah.
Outcry over potential involvement comes in the aftermath of the killing of Mahsa Amini, which
has sparked mass protests in Iran and around the globe in favor of women’s rights. At least 34
journalists in Iran have been imprisoned since the protests began, according to press freedom
watchdog group Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), also known as Reporters Without Borders. Among them include several Al Jazeera-affiliated journalists per RSF as well.
However, pro-Amini protests have been suppressed in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
An Iranian woman named Yasi, who asked to have her surname withheld to protect her
anonymity, explained that “some free media had visas to come to Qatar but at the last minute it
was canceled,” through the UK’s INews. Furthermore, Iranian supporters wearing shirts
supporting Amini have reportedly been forced to leave stadiums and have had their shirts
confiscated by Qatari police.
These protest suppressions have come in the wake of deepening ties between Qatar and Iran. In
the wake of mounting sanctions against Iran, the Qatari government pledged to continue
supplying Iran, while Al Jazeera Arabic-language stations have continued to broadcast pro-Iran
and anti-Western messages. Still, the network has steadfastly maintained its independence. “We
maintain our commitment towards what is true and evident,” said Gaballah.