Journalist and media figure Jawad Maraqa passed away on Sunday. He was the first director of Qatar TV when it was launched in black and white on August 15, 1970.
Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and the media fraternity, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported.
Maraqa, a Jordanian, is considered one of the most prominent personalities in the field of media and established various TV channels. He began his career as a teacher in primary and preparatory schools, and during that period he studied philosophy and sociology before he was assigned as one of the first employees at the Jordanian Ministry of Information when it was established in 1964.
Maraqa also attended specialised courses in Washington, US. He was part of the founding generation which launched Jordanian TV and on February 17, 1968, he announced the start of experimental broadcast as the first media face to appear on its screen.
In the mid-1980s, Maraqa held the position of general manager of Jordanian Television Production Company, which was launched by the government in co-operation with the private sector, to produce various works and a drama series.
