Culture Turkish standup comic detained after act calling Erdogan 'dictator' goes viral Comedian Deniz Goktas’ arrest comes as Ankara intensifies prosecutions against opposition figures, journalists, artists and critics ahead of a major NATO summit. Turkey
Culture In Syria, detention of Hassan Akkad raises alarm about free expression under Sharaa Akkad, a British-Syrian filmmaker, was detained Wednesday night after his campaign questioning the whereabouts of funds allegedly pledged for relief, reconstruction and community initiatives across Syria. Syria
Kuwait acquits journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin after 7 weeks in detention The American-Kuwaiti journalist is expected to be released after 52 days in custody over posts about wartime damage. Kuwait
Lebanon bids farewell to Amal Khalil, journalist killed by Israel: What to know Khalil's death in a targeted strike on a house where she and a colleague took cover sparked widespread condemnation by Lebanese officials and international media groups. Lebanon
Analysis Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Prominent Turkish lawyer defiant after jail sentence over media trial Eren Keskin, a prominent human rights lawyer, was among four defendants sentenced to prison on terror-linked charges Monday in a newspaper trial that raised concerns over media freedom in Turkey. Turkey
Activists fear Iraqi cybercrime law could limit press freedoms The Iraqi cybercrime bill makes a reappearance amid widespread objections by civilians and activists who label it as repressive of freedoms and rights guaranteed in the Iraqi Constitution. Iraq
Egyptian, Iranian leaders criticize French president over comments on freedom of expression French President Emmanuel Macron angered many Muslim leaders when he defended images of the prophet of Islam after a Parisian teacher was beheaded for showing such images. Egypt
Syrian journalists in Idlib face crackdown from jihadist-affiliated government The government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria has decreed that journalists can’t work in their areas of control without a permit. Syria
Reporter's arrest, abrupt release chills journalists in Egypt A journalist who had gone to Luxor to cover the recent unrest there was arrested on charges that included the spreading of fake news and belonging to a terrorist group. Egypt
Algeria cracks down on press as protest movement persists Algeria's massive protest movement, temporarily stifled by the pandemic, is also seeing many activists and journalists jailed as the government. Algeria
Turkey opens investigation after Greek newspaper insults Erdogan The spat comes amid tensions between Athens and Ankara over drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
DOJ orders affiliate of Qatar-backed Al Jazeera to register as foreign agent The Department of Justice accused AJ+ of acting "at the direction and control” of Qatar. Legacy: Gulf
Turkish court releases detained journalists, issues prison sentences pending appeals In a mixed verdict, three Turkish journalists charged with revealing state secrets were released from jail during a trial Wednesday. Turkey
Online calls for anti-Sisi protests in Egypt may fall flat Social media activists are calling for street protests Sept. 20 against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, but expectations are low. Egypt
Jordan accuses teachers union of 'economic crimes' in crackdown Activists claim Jordanian government is applying "defense laws" to suppress dissent during economic downturn. Jordan
Journalists in Yemen attacked ‘from all quarters,’ UN rights chief says Since the beginning of April, the United Nations has documented an abduction, a killing and a number of physical attacks and threats against journalists operating in war-torn Yemen. Yemen
