Journalist who investigated Erdogan’s son jailed on 'disinformation' charges in Turkey Human rights organizations warn Ari’s detention signals a broader campaign against journalists probing government corruption and elite networks. Turkey
Analysis Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know Facing a historic internet blackout, Iranians are locked in a struggle with authorities to find loopholes to get around this communications crackdown, leading to "shutdowns within a shutdown." By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Qatar-based Al Jazeera commentators go dark on social media: What to know Saeed Ziad, who offered a pro-Iran perspective on the war, has not posted on X in days, and the account of Fatima al-Smadi was deleted, though their exact status is not known. Qatar
Israeli-Russian journalist removed from Netanyahu’s US flight: What to know Israeli-Russian journalist Nick Kolyohin was removed from the official Israeli Wing of Zion plane just before its departure for Washington, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump. Israel
One year on, Turkish human rights advocates lament inaction on Khashoggi murder One year after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, advocates for human rights and press freedom highlight failures in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Saudi Arabia
Don't read too much into Turkey's gag order reversal, warn free press advocates Turkey’s highest court has struck down a reporting ban surrounding a 2013 corruption probe, but some human rights defenders warn the win for press freedom may prove minor. Turkey
Iraqi journalists blacklist politicians who attack them Some Iraq journalists are forming a list that includes all officials who attack them to prepare the ground for legal action against them. Iraq
Pro-state think tank targets foreign media in Turkey A pro-state think tank accused foreign news services of “bias,” raising fears of a renewed wave of media repression in the country. Turkey
Will government's new rules control fake news or control Egyptian media? Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation claims that its new rules for radio and television broadcasts are intended to regulate the media environment in a rational and constitutional way but others see censorship at work. Egypt
Egypt tightens control on broadcasts, foreign channels Through a series of legal restrictions, security campaigns and acquisitions, Egypt is increasing government power over foreign media broadcasting outlets. Egypt
Iranian comedian in hot water over flood jokes Comedian Mehran Modiri's mockery of government officials who have paid brief visits to Iran's flooded provinces has made him a government target, but he is likely to survive it. Iran
Palestine theater pays homage to country's pioneer journalist A new play, "The Owner of Al-Karmil," pays homage to the man who established Palestine's first major newspaper and faced strong pressures at first from the Ottoman Empire and then from Britain, which subjected his co-editor wife to administrative detention. Palestine
Are Egypt’s newspapers threatened with extinction? The Egyptian government launched a plan to reform the state press institutions suffering financial crises, to help them repay their debts. Egypt
Turkey’s WomanTV offers new voice on women’s issues A new TV station is taking on femicide, glass ceilings and violence, as well as sharing success stories of women in Turkey. Turkey
Turkey becoming minefield for foreign journalists Three foreign reporters in Turkey have seen their accreditations terminated, while the renewal applications of 50 others remain unanswered since December, fueling concern that Ankara is seeking to drive the foreign media out. Turkey
Netanyahu out to shatter Israeli democracy, free press The public opinion battle of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a possible indictment continues, with his associates publishing photos of four journalists on a billboard, accusing them of persecuting the prime minister. Israel
