''Witness'' is the flagship
documentary television programme
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...
that airs on
Al Jazeera English. The programme showcases documentaries commissioned from independent filmmakers around the world. The films focus on stories that receive less international coverage and "people at the margins of society."
''Witness'' was one of the first programmes on Al Jazeera English and has been airing since the channel's inception in November 2006. The primary broadcast windows are Sundays for their half-hour programmes and Wednesdays for their hour-long programmes with repeats appearing throughout the week. It is also available
online
In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed "on line" o ...
.
The show has won multiple documentary awards including the
Peabody and the International Emmy and been nominated for many others including an
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment in ...
,
One World,
Rory Peck Trust
The Rory Peck Trust is an international NGO that supports freelance journalists and their families in crisis. Based in London, UK, it provides practical assistance and support to freelance journalists worldwide, to raise their profile, promote th ...
and Gierson. The programme team has also served as the creative staff behind other Al Jazeera English series including
Viewfinder Latin America (2012-2015) and
Viewfinder Asia (2012-2014), Artscape (2009–2014), Wildlife Warzone (2013) and in 2014, Rebel Architecture.
History
''Witness'' premiered in November 2006 when Al Jazeera English launched globally. It was initially presented by
Rageh Omaar
Rageh Omaar (; so, Raage Oomaar; ar, راجح أومار; born 19 July 1967) is a Somali-born British journalist and writer. He was a BBC world affairs correspondent, where he made his name reporting from Iraq. In September 2006, he moved to ...
,
Fakhry took over briefly as presenter in 2010 for one year.
It is one of the few programmes that makes documentaries available worldwide on all media platforms. The topics covered by the series includes stories of inspiration, empowerment, creativity and a deeper plunge into communities that are otherwise excluded from the global conversation. This includes stories on conflict, the environment, women's rights, the arts, economic equity and social justice. The core of each story is a reflection of how global events affect local communities and the people who live there.
Awards
In 2016 ''Witness'' was part of the team nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Documentary Short for the film,
Chau, Beyond The Lines
''Chau, Beyond the Lines'' (previously known as: ''War Within the Walls'') is a 2015 American short-documentary film about a 16-year-old disabled by the effects of Agent Orange, who aspires to become an artist and clothing designer. It is directe ...
. In 2015, "Witness" won an
International Emmy
The International Emmy Awards, or International Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based International Academy of Television Arts and ...
for the film, ''Miners Shot Down''. This story is about miners in South Africa who rise up to seek a better living and working conditions. In 2013 ''Witness'' was awarded the
Peabody Award for the film, ''Sheikh Jarrah, My Neighbourhood''. This documentary tells the story of Palestinians in East Jerusalem who face eviction and find unexpected allies to the cause. ''Witness'' coverage of the
Red Mosque in
Islamabad
Islamabad (; ur, , ) is the capital city of Pakistan. It is the country's ninth-most populous city, with a population of over 1.2 million people, and is federally administered by the Pakistani government as part of the Islamabad Capita ...
shortly before a
government siege garnered an
International Emmy Award
The International Emmy Awards, or International Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based International Academy of Television Arts and Sc ...
nomination in 2008. A special on two schools in the
West Bank
The West Bank ( ar, الضفة الغربية, translit=aḍ-Ḍiffah al-Ġarbiyyah; he, הגדה המערבית, translit=HaGadah HaMaʽaravit, also referred to by some Israelis as ) is a landlocked territory near the coast of the Mediter ...
under Israeli occupation, ''Return to Nablus'', received an International Emmy nomination in 2009.
16 other documentaries featured on ''Witness'' have won awards at various international film festivals.
References
External links
Official site
{{Al Jazeera America programming
Witness
In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, e ...
2000s documentary television series
2010s documentary television series