Al Jazeera English, the Doha-based English language news channel celebrated its first anniversary on Nov. 15, marking the occasion with live reports on key stories from around the world and first person accounts focusing on children who are directly affected by issues surrounding the stories. Nigel Parsons, Managing Director of Al Jazeera English, said, “We proved the sceptics wrong and created a new channel that is already recognised as one of the major voices in global journalism.” Operating from broadcast centres in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC, Al Jazeera English reaches more than 100 million homes worldwide through cable and satellite as well as new media platforms including IPTV, mobile technologies and a dedicated channel on YouTube. The channel’s maiden year was highlighted by coverage of the violence and protests in Burma by undercover reporters; exclusive on-ground reports from within Gaza on the Hamas takeover; coverage of the conflict between rebel and government/NATO forces in Afghanistan; as well as breaking the news on Tony Blair’s new job as Special Envoy of the Middle East Quartet.