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
MidEast freedom rankings: Syria worst, Tunisia in decline, says Freedom House Syria remains to be the least and Israel the best performing country when it comes civil and political freedoms while the biggest one-year decline has been observed in Tunisia. Turkey
Turkey: Journalists bullied, censored by government over earthquake coverage The post-quake experience of Turkey’s media offers clues as to what forms of censorship Ankara could employ in the upcoming election season. Turkey
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
