Al Jazeera exec 'compared to Saddam'

COMPENSATION FIGHT: Al Jazeera is contesting claims of discrimination by a female journalist. (Getty Images)

A television executive who is alleged to have forced a senior female employee from her job at the Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV network had the "managerial skills of Saddam Hussein", a tribunal has heard.

Jo Burgin claims she suffered sex, race and religious discrimination at the Arabic network's English channel and has launched a $1.75 million compensation claim for lost earnings.

Burgin, 49, also claims she was told her contract would not be renewed because the company had a no-couples rule and she was in a relationship with her colleague Steve Clark, but says the company knew of their relationship when she joined.

Clark, the former director of news and now her husband, told the Central London Employment Tribunal that Ibrahim Helal, the channel's deputy managing director, was sexist and showed anti-Western and pro-Islamic bias, according to media reports in the UK.

"I believe that Mr Helal was not prepared to deal with a Western woman in a senior editorial position," he said.

He added Helal's treatment of Burgin, which was said to include ignoring her and shouting over her, was "designed to marginalise the claimant".

Ingrid Simler QC, for Al Jazeera, told the tribunal that Helal said he made the decisions on editorial grounds and denied they were politically or racially motivated.

The Qatar-based network denies Burgin's claims. The tribunal was also told Al Jazeera was concerned about Burgin's ability and her knowledge of Middle Eastern issues.

She questioned Clark about the fact Helal claims he had to correct "basic mistakes" Burgin made during discussions on politics and events relating to the region.

The hearing continues.

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Re:
Posted by Xaff, Dubai on Monday 15 September 2008 at 09:53 UAE time


Whether Al Jazeera speaks truth or not is a different debate. But at least we come to know the same story through different perspective. Then its up to decide who is right. Western media have for long given us only one perspective to global events - the western perspective. Through Al Jazeera we come to hear the Arab perspective.

Truth and justice
Posted by Paul, Dubai on Sunday 14 September 2008 at 14:05 UAE time


The only 'truth and justice' brought forth by any media source funded by advertising is the 'truth and justice' according to its advertisers. Don't kid yourself that Al Jazeera stands up for the rights of ordinary people.

Re:
Posted by Xaff, Dubai on Sunday 14 September 2008 at 12:33 UAE time


Another propaganda by the some hardline western media to marginalize Al Jazeera. The western media is jealous of the success Al Jazeera got in such a short span of time. Guys lets not smear dirt on each other but work together to bring our truth and justice to the million of suffering people across the globe.

the issue has nothing to do with religion
Posted by Elvis, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 11 September 2008 at 17:32 UAE time


Reesob, can you tell me what does religion have to do with this? Are you going to tell me you have to be a Muslim to cover the region? You need to distinguish between the notions of Middle East, Arabs, and Islam. I myself am an arab and not a muslim...don't I fit in your conception of the world?

Westerners?
Posted by Paul, Dubai on Thursday 11 September 2008 at 15:40 UAE time


Er, reesob - since Al Jazeera is the company at fault here, surely the taboo lies with them, rather than Westerners?

Why is being ori-islamic such a tabboo for Westeners?
Posted by reesob, dubai, UAE on Thursday 11 September 2008 at 11:24 UAE time

I follow the English Al-Jazeera quite regularly. It is true that Burgin comes across as ignorant (when it comes to matters concerning the region). Don't know anything about Mr. Helal, but it serves him right for hiring someone like her. There are millions of highly educated Muslims in the media circle who speak atleast 3 languages and who are very well versed with the western, eastern, and islamic aspects of this region.

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