Feature Families of Kurdish journalists slain in suspected Turkish drone strike in Syria want their remains Ankara’s refusal to repatriate the journalists' remains underscores the political stakes of acknowledging the drone strike. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey convicts Swedish journalist of insulting Erdogan with terror trial next Joakim Medin will remain behind bars awaiting prosecution on terror-related charges that press freedom groups say aim to silence the free press. Turkey
Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country. Algeria
Turkey detains 2 prominent journalists amid growing crackdown The detention follows a wave of arrests and protests sparked by the March 19 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Turkey
After meeting Italy’s Meloni, Trump agrees to halt extradition of Iranian detainee: What we know Iran
In press freedom index, Middle Eastern countries go from bad to worse Press freedom and journalist safety remain “very bad” in the majority of the Middle East and North Africa nations, Reporters Without Borders' 2022 index shows. Syria
Iranian dissident who disappeared in Turkey resurfaces in Evin prison Mohammad Bagher Moradi who took refuge in Turkey has ended up in Iran's notorious Evin prison, five months after he went missing in Ankara, his lawyer told Al-Monitor. Turkey
Israel rejects US plan to investigate death of Palestinian journalist The outgoing and incoming Israeli leaderships agree that Israel will not allow the FBI to investigate the death of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Israel
Iran charges journalists amid mounting protest toll While the death toll from nearly two months of consistent protests continued to rise, the government was pushing to contain the unrest with severe judicial measures. Iran
Hamas cracks down on journalists, activists in Gaza Hamas police forces continue to raid the homes of activists in the Gaza Strip who expose the corruption of Hamas figures and members. Palestine
Turkey ramps up pressure on Kurdish journalists with mass detentions The detentions are part of a campaign against journalists working for outlets that report on rights abuses, particularly in the Kurdish-majority southeast. Turkey
Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, writers reject Turkey’s new 'censorship' bill Turkey’s main opposition has taken the newly enacted bill to the Constitutional Court for annulment, while Erdogan described the law he swiftly ratified as “a pressing necessity.” Turkey
Egypt's journalism crackdown continues despite 'national dialogue' The Egyptian authorities' crackdown on Mada Masr has been criticized by civil society groups. Egypt
Palestinians claim social media crackdown following latest Gaza war A fierce attack has been launched on Palestinian social media content, as dozens of accounts of Palestinian activists, journalists and media institutions have been restricted and deleted in the past year and after the latest Israeli war on Gaza. Palestine
US 'concerned' about response to protests in Kurdistan Region Press freedom issues are not new in the autonomous Iraqi region. Iraq
Saudi Arabia, Egypt go in on media project ahead of COP27 Preparations are underway in Egypt to launch an international news channel after securing an agreement with Saudi Arabia to fund the media project. Egypt
Egypt to launch international news channel at COP27 climate conference Egypt is seeking to restore its media influence in the Middle East and Africa. Egypt
