Al Jazeera To Cut Hundreds Of Jobs, But Al Jazeera America Will Be Spared

Al Jazeera To Cut Hundreds Of Jobs, But Al Jazeera America Will Be Spared

Al-Jazeera is expected to cut hundreds of jobs worldwide as the Qatari-owned broadcaster looks to make savings in the face of a falling oil price and a possible radical change in investment strategy.

The surprise move will not only see an estimated 800 to 1,000 staff go – almost one quarter of the total workforce – but could presage the emir of Qatar reducing the state’s commitment to the news media group that was supported by his father. The news organisation has been a hugely successful way of maintaining influence in the Arab world and beyond.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has been Qatari ruler for the past two years since taking over from his father, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who funded al-Jazeera at its launch in 1996.

The proposed job cuts, which could come after the end of this week’s Eid celebrations, comes amid falling oil and gas prices, and after the news organisation spent more than $600m (£390m) launching al-Jazeera America in 2013.

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