The News: Explained
The Series:
When big news breaks, global audiences turn to Al Jazeera English for all the latest. They do so because they are looking for a deeper understanding of the story. They know that AJE’s journalists won’t just bring them up-to-the-minute details, but will also provide the context and nuance they need to get a fulsome understanding of the events and why they are important.
Our ‘The News: Explained’ series aims to bring our online audiences real-time context on big and breaking stories from around the world. By leveraging AJE’s vast newsgathering operation, the series delivers on this promise.
The Format:
The key: time is of the essence. Unlike explainer strands published by other outlets, we aim to publish these stories in the moment, as news is breaking, or very shortly after.
Al Jazeera journalists in the field, or those who have been covering a story or subject closely, speak directly to viewers in videos that can run anywhere between 2 and 5 minutes. The episodes are fast-paced, delivered in accessible language, and take viewers deep into the story quickly. The explanations are augmented with pertinent footage and basic graphics.
After watching an episode, a viewer should expect to have a good grasp of what is happening and why.
Here are some episodes from the series, along with a look at how they were received by audiences on various social media platforms:
Nagorno Karabakh conflict explained
Why did Armenia and Azerbaijan fight over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region? Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith explains.
India’s farmers’ protests explained
For weeks, hundreds of thousands of farmers in India have been protesting against new farm laws. Al Jazeera’s Elizabeth Puranam explains what’s at stake for a sector that’s been in crisis for decades.
Wuhan, one year after COVID-19 explained
Life has mostly returned to normal in Wuhan, China, the original epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu explains how the government’s initial response is drawing support and anger from residents of the city.
The agreement between the UAE and Israel explained
Israel and the UAE reached an agreement to work towards a “full normalization of relations”. The Palestinians called it a “treacherous stab in the back”. Al Jazeera’s Jerusalem correspondent Harry Fawcett explains the significance of the deal.
The killing of popular Oromo singer Haacaaluu Hundeessaa sparked mass protests in Ethiopia. Al Jazeera’s Hamza Mohamed explains who Haacaaluu was and why his death has exposed the divisions in Ethiopia’s politics.
