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The human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkol Karman has congratulated Al Jazeera on its anniversary that marks twenty years since it launched its first broadcast on November 1, 1996,
paying tribute to everyone who contributed to “this accomplishment and took part of achieving this great dream.”
In a post published on her Facebook account, Karman said Al Jazeera has represented a distinctive and genius accomplishment in contemporary history, noting that it was not easy that one woke up to see a free Arab media outlet whose mission was conveyed to each home at a record time whereas a single media outlet was not allowed to be there unless it idealizes the autocratic ruler and own family.
"It was very clear that such typical event would not pass unnoticed, and would have profound implications; it has been what was expected”, she added.
"Now, Al Jazeera is present whenever the Arab Spring is mentioned and vice versa due to the existential relationship that has emerged between them”, she continued.
Mrs. Karman also pointed out that it is not a coincidence that enemies of the Arab Spring have seen a foe in Al Jazeera while the most popular channel in the region has been a lifelong companion and a partner in the dream in the eyes of the youth of the Arab Spring.
"Amidst a desolate desert lacking in life basics, the Arabs caught sight of oasis of freedom 20 years ago, thanks to which all desert has turned into an expanding haven of freedom and moral revolution”, Karman portrayed
Yemen’s human rights activist went on to say: Give me a TV channel like Al Jazeera, I will show you a Spring of people who lead a great struggle for freedom, which keeps going on until it (freedom) is wholly achieved!
To mark 20 years since it has launched, Al Jazeera belonging to the Qatar-based television network has recently celebrated its anniversary.
The Arabic-language satellite channel, which has changed the media landscape in the region, launched its first broadcast from Qatar’s Doha on November 1, 1996.
Gradually, Al Jazeera was able to become the most watched TV outlet in the Middle East and North Africa.
Thanks to the channel's exclusive stories from areas like Afghanistan, Iraq and African countries, it could establish its reputation globally.