Al Jazeera CEO Dismissed After News Room Turmoil

By Maria Slither - 08 May '15 12:06PM

Al Jazeera America has chosen a new CEO after leadership of its interim CEO since 2013, Ehab Al Shihabi, after the so-called 'turmoil' in the news room with the station being charged for a $15 million worth of the lawsuit and the resignation of three top station executives.

According to The Guardian, Al Shihabi is replaced by Al Anstey, the company's managing director of content in English since 2010. The decision, made by the Qatar-based parent company Al Jazeera Media Network, is said to take immediate effect on Wednesday this week.

"I didn't want to be there anymore because I didn't like the culture of fear. People are afraid to lose their jobs if they cross Ehab," Marcy McGinnis, the network's former senior vice president for news gathering said. She resigned on Monday this week, New York Times said.

After McGinnis's resignation, two other top employees-- the chief of human resources, Diana Lee, and the executive vice president for communications, Dawn Bridges also come up with the same decision days later.

On Thursday, another employee also resigned posting complaints saying that the station's atmosphere is filled with anti-Semitism, sexual discrimination and episodes of retribution against employees.

Despite criticisms, Shahib is said not to be leaving the station, CNN said. In an email, he told the station that he will still be working on the TV station as chief operating officer (COO).

As to the recent grievances, Shahib also said that he upholds the welfare of its employees.

"We are committed to raise the morale of our staff. If people are not happy, we will make them happy. We will invest in their morale," he said in an interview with New York Times.

Meanwhile, Anstey remained neutral amidst the turmoil expressing his delight to be the company's new CEO.

"I'm delighted to be leading Al Jazeera America into the next stage of development. The United States is a remarkable country, with amazing people across the nation who are looking for in-depth, trusted, and inspiring stories," he said.