Turkey bans T24 news site as dissent crackdown widens: What to know Turkish authorities cited alleged LGBTQ+ propaganda for the ruling against the independent news website. Turkey
Algeria pulls Sky News Arabia accreditation amid UAE rift: What to know Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, which owns Sky News Arabia through Abu Dhabi-based International Media Investments, last Thursday. Algeria
Iraq sentences kidnapper of US journalist Shelly Kittleson to 15 years: What to know The first sentencing in relation to Shelly Kittleson’s abduction comes as Iraq moves to rein in Iran-backed militias. Iraq
Israel tightens election safeguards as public distrust surges: What to know Israelis have lost trust in the government and in its ability or willingness to conduct free and fair elections. Israel
Egypt removes media mention from terrorism law The Egyptian parliament has reversed its decision to specifically include media outlets in its anti-terrorism law, but rights advocates say the action is mainly window dressing and won't help protect journalists. Egypt
A song of praise: Netanyahu’s court journalists Over the years, and especially since the 2015 election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been striving to set up a more submissive, sycophantic Israeli press that praises everything he does. Israel
Turkey's main opposition boycotts CNN Turk in protest of press censorship Turkey’s main opposition party has banned its members from appearing on CNN Turk, the Turkish franchise of the US broadcasting giant, charging that the channel functions as an "advertising agency" for the government. Turkey
Small Istanbul publisher sustains Armenian literature Aras Publishing has spent nearly three decades publishing forgotten classics by Armenian writers in both Turkish and the at-risk Western Armenian language. Turkey
Publishers, writers watch from behind bars as Cairo Book Fair wraps Egypt's restrictive cultural environment marred this year's Cairo International Book Fair with the recent arrests of publishers and closures of community libraries and bookstores. Egypt
Meet the dismissed sports host who challenged Iran’s state TV Popular sports host Adel Ferdosipour, who recently witnessed his show being taken off the air by hardliners in the state TV, has now launched a new show on the internet. Saudi Arabia
Solidarity swells in Morocco after crackdown on free expression Moroccan journalist Omar Radi has been released pending trial in March, but other YouTubers, rappers and students remain in jail for criticizing the king and the regime. Morocco
Young Middle Easterners turning on to podcasts Young people in the Middle East are turning to podcasts to generate wide-ranging and in-depth conversations on politics, events and other topics of personal interest. Palestine
Algerian cartoonist, other political detainees released to rejoin protests The Algerian government surprised lawyers and activists by suddenly releasing dozens of prisoners detained over protest activities. Algeria
Egypt reinstates Information Ministry in Cabinet reshuffle Egyptian member of parliament Osama Haikal will return as minister of state for information affairs after Egypt abolished the ministry in 2014. Egypt
Lebanon’s revolutionaries launch their own newspaper Lebanese activists and journalists printed the first issue of a newspaper dedicated to covering all aspects of the country's protests. Lebanon
Egypt tells media not to report yet on reshuffle, governors Egypt has forbidden the media from reporting on the appointment of new governors and the upcoming Cabinet overhaul until authorities issue official releases. Egypt
