Ehab Al Shihabi on the Hunger for Quality Journalism

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Ehab Al Shihabi on the Hunger for Quality Journalism

Ehab Al Shihabi talks to genConnect about how the 'hunger for quality journalism' is what's inspiring the new network.

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About Ehab Al Shihabi

Ehab Al Shihabi joined Al Jazeera in 2006 as deputy managing director for Al Jazeera English. Three years later, he assumed the role of executive director of international operations for Al Jazeera Media Network, with oversight of more than 70 Al Jazeera bureaus around the world – the largest footprint of any news-gathering organization. Ehab Al Shihabi was an instrumental player in expanding Al Jazeera Media Network’s global footprint, bringing its brand to Al Balkan through the purchase of NTV 99, a local channel based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Named Al Jazeera Balkans (AJB), the project was envisioned as "a leader in providing high-quality news and current affairs in the region (of former Yugoslavia)" with planned offices throughout the Balkans and bureaus in key locations worldwide. Additionally, it expanded its global footprint, bringing its brand to Turkey and the world’s 140 million Turkish speakers with Al Jazeera Turk and multiple sports outlets. Ehab Al Shihabi additionally had a key role in the purchase of Current TV and its transformation into Al Jazeera America, a network with a high profile and high risk.

Within months of its establishment, Al Jazeera America had earned recognition as a top 10 news outlet. In 2014, more than 10 organizations recognized the network for excellence. The former chief executive officer of Al Jazeera America, Ehab Al Shihabi currently works with the director general of Al Jazeera Media Network as a strategic advisor.

Prior to his work with Al Jazeera, Ehab Al Shihabi was a media consultant at several firms and worked with a number of high-profile clients. He played a role in the transformation of major media outlets. Ehab Al Shihabi possesses more than 20 years of experience with the strategic, organizational, and operational processes of media outlets including investment, merger and acquisition, and turnaround. He has worked across a wide variety of segments, including magazines, newspapers, digital media, and television. He has lived and worked in North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. He also has extensive experience in handling multinational issues, especially political and regulatory matters.

Alongside his advisory position, Ehab Al Shihabi serves as a senior fellow with the Murrow Center at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is also creating a global online platform for discussing and analyzing trends from a multinational perspective.