Sky News Arabia (SNA) appointed Youssef Tsouri, a former France 24 media executive, as its head of news starting March 1 after the pan-Arab news channel announced a new programming line-up.
In his new role, Mr Tsouri will oversee the SNA newsroom editorial strategy and content, enhance the operations and output of its global bureaus and contribute towards increasing SNA’s digital reach, the company said in a statement on Sunday.
“We are delighted to welcome Yousef to our growing Sky News Arabia family. I am confident that his extensive international expertise gained in the Middle East and Europe will undoubtedly add value to the network and provide a fresh perspective to the team that will further drive SNA forward,” Nart Bouran, chief executive of International Media Investment (IMI Holding), the holding company which owns a 50 per cent stake in SNA, said.
Mr Tsouri brings more than 23 years of experience to his role, gained across various international media outlets in the UAE and abroad. He joined MBC in 2002 as a news presenter and later became its editor in chief. He joins SNA from Paris, where he spent the last decade working for France 24.
“Yousef will help lead the next stage of SNA’s development into a digital first news organisation that caters to an ever-growing number of viewers from all over the world,” Mr Bouran added.
Mr Tsouri holds a graduate diploma from the Higher Institute of Journalism in Rabat, Morocco, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Mohammed V University in Rabat.
“Over the years, Sky News Arabia has solidified its position as a credible, well respected media platform both regionally and internationally, and I am pleased to return to the UAE to be a part of this outstanding effort and team,” Mr Tsouri said.
“I am looking forward to starting my new role with Sky News Arabia and take its success story to new heights with the support of my colleagues, delivering unique news reporting and programming, across linear, digital and social,” he added.
Sky News Arabia is a pan-Arab news organisation broadcasting around the clock to households across the Arabic-speaking world and is a joint venture with Sky UK.
International Media Investments (IMI), the owner of The National newspaper, earlier this month announced the appointment of Mr Bouran as its new chief executive. He will take up his post on March 8.