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
Middle East sees most hostage-taking of journalists in 2021, report says Reporters Without Borders said of the 65 journalists held by nonstate actors worldwide, nearly all were abducted in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. News Brief
European court orders Turkey to pay damages to journalist jailed over coup The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Turkey should pay $18,000 to political commentator and former lawmaker Nazli Ilicak for violating her rights. News Brief
BBC calls for Iran to stop 'campaign of harassment' against staff The British broadcaster has publicly called out Iran for cross-border threats and harassment of its journalists and their family members. Iran
Journalists covering Netanyahu trial harassed, attacked Supporters of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harassed two journalists who came to cover his trial and struck one of them with a cane. Israel
Media freedom in Tunisia stirs wide debate The closure by the Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication of four media institutions, under the pretext of benefiting from the influence of some parties and political figures for broadcasting without regularizing their situation, has stirred wide controversy and growing concern about the fate of media institutions in Tunisia. North Africa
Tunisian journalists behind bars reflect growing repression of media freedom Tunisians have been concerned about the return of oppression and restriction on media freedoms following renewed military trials of civilians, arrests and attacks on journalists. Tunisia
Jihadist group in Idlib bans pro-opposition news channel Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has banned the pro-opposition Orient News channel from media coverage in Idlib, raising fears about the state of press freedom in Syria’s Idlib. Syria
Turkey plans further clampdown on independent media Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP says it won't allow "fifth column" activity from independent media organizations. Turkey
Morocco sentences journalist Omar Radi in trial slammed by rights groups The court on Monday sentenced Omar Radi to six years in prison on espionage and rape charges he denies. Morocco
Moroccan journalist's jailing draws rebuke from US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States is "disappointed" by a Moroccan court's five-year sentence of journalist Soulaiman Raissouni. Morocco
Reports highlight crackdowns on press in Kurdistan Region The Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government has rejected the charges, citing the independence of courts and media partnerships. News Brief
Egypt to launch regional news channel Egypt is planning on launching a regional news channel, including joint projects and productions with Saudi Arabia. Egypt
