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
Israel says Hamas used AP, Al Jazeera building in Gaza to jam Iron Dome Israel will help rebuild AP offices in Gaza, said its UN ambassador. Palestine
Egypt releases journalist Khaled Dawoud from prison Khaled Dawoud was arrested as part of a sweeping crackdown on anti-government protesters in 2019. Egypt
Is Turkey going to crack down Muslim Brotherhood aligned TV in gesture to Egypt? The Turkish government has advised Brotherhood aligned stations against insulting Egyptian officials. Egypt
Erbil court convicts journalists, activists of spying, organizing armed groups Five defendants, including journalists and activists, were sentenced to prison in Erbil in a decision that international rights groups say is an attack on press freedoms. Iraq
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
