Libyan journalist Ali Al-Dalali is set to mark a significant milestone in his career: 50 years in journalism. As of October 10, 2026, Al-Dalali will have spent half a century working in the field, a journey that began in 1976 when he joined the Libyan News Agency (WAL) as a translator. He recalls that it was not an easy entry, having had to pass a translation exam and a personal interview.
Al-Dalali's career at WAL was marked by various roles, including head of the translation section, political listening section, and global news editing. He also worked as a news correspondent and head of the general broadcasting section. His experience extended beyond Libya, as he worked as a war correspondent in several countries, including Chad, Angola, and Namibia. Al-Dalali also covered numerous Arab and African conferences and summits.
The journalist's journey took him to the Pan-African News Agency (PANAPRESS), where he worked as a regional director for North Africa and head of the Arabic section. He also served as deputy editor-in-chief and assistant to the general director. Throughout his career, Al-Dalali has written in both Arabic and French and has authored various types of articles, including news reports, political commentary, and opinion pieces.
Al-Dalali credits several individuals for their influence on his career, including his mentor, Ibrahim Al-Tweir, who encouraged him to pursue a career in journalism. He also acknowledges the support of colleagues, such as Bashir Zaabia and Mahmoud Al-Busifi. At PANAPRESS, Al-Dalali worked alongside prominent African figures, including Dr. Ibrahim Daksh and Dr. Abubakar Fal.
As Al-Dalali approaches the end of his career, he reflects on the challenges facing the journalism industry. He notes that the main office in Tripoli has experienced a decline in productivity, relying heavily on copying and pasting from other sources. In contrast, the General Administration in Benghazi has demonstrated that young journalists can produce high-quality content with proper training and support.
Al-Dalali attributes the decline in the industry to a resistance to change and a failure to invest in young talent. He believes that the solution lies in providing opportunities for new journalists to develop their skills and adapt to new technologies. The veteran journalist has taken steps to address this issue, having trained over 29 journalists and translators from Libya and other African countries.
As Al-Dalali prepares to leave the profession, he emphasizes the importance of innovation and adaptation in journalism. He encourages young journalists to take advantage of available resources and technologies to produce high-quality content. With his extensive experience and insights, Al-Dalali's reflections offer valuable lessons for the next generation of journalists in Libya and beyond.
Key points
- Al-Dalali marks 50 years in journalism, a career spanning multiple roles and countries.
- The veteran journalist attributes the decline of the industry to a resistance to change and a failure to invest in young talent.
- Al-Dalali emphasizes the importance of innovation and adaptation in journalism to produce high-quality content.
