Veteran Newsman Ray Suarez Moves On From PBS, Joins Al Jazeera America

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 07: Journalist Ray Suarez speaks onstage during the 'Latino Americans' panel discussion at the PBS portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (2013 Getty Images)

Ray Suarez, the longtime correspondent at the national news show PBS NewsHour, has joined Al Jazeera America as host of “Inside Story,” the network and the famed journalist announced Monday.

The 56-year-old told Fox New Latino on Monday after the announcement Monday that it will be great to have his own show, one that he will be able to cultivate and see grow.

“Al Jazeera has shown that it’s really committed to hard news,” said Suarez.

On his Facebook page, Suarez posted: “Excited, happy, looking forward to helping build the country’s newest news organization. Great things are happening at AJAM…glad to be part of the team…”

Suarez announced in early October he was leaving PBS after nearly a decade and a half at the network.

When news of his departure came out, he told Fox News Latino the reason for his resignation was that he did not “see much of a future” at the public television network. He said he had no hard feelings toward PBS and that he was leaving on good terms.

Kate O’Brien, president of Al Jazeera America, praised her latest hire.

“Ray’s extensive television and radio experience will be an incredible asset to Al Jazeera America and Inside Story’s viewers," she said in a statement. "Ray has repeatedly proven that he can deliver compelling coverage of the most challenging news stories and events with objectivity and depth, punctuated by Ray’s own brand of thoughtful analysis. That’s exactly what Inside Story is all about.”

Suarez had previously alluded to his career change in the interview with Fox News Latino, but would not divulge any details until he had signed a contract. He did say he had “one more high-demand, high-stress job” in him.

In response to the outpouring of support regarding his reasons for leaving “NewsHour,” Suarez posted on Twitter last week: “Just so everybody’s real clear: I was not “pushed out” of NewsHour. I was not fired. I was not shown the door. I left on my own. OK?”

The renowned journalist told Fox News Latino on Monday that some people, who have longstanding grievances with PBS, used his story as another example of their complaints against the network.

“I was doing the best thing for my family, my career and personal happiness,” Suarez said. “I am just happy to be moving forward.”

Suarez starts at “Inside Story” on Nov. 11.

Editor's Note: There's no relation between Ray Suarez and the author of this article, Lucia Suarez.