Turkey sentences journalist over 4 years in jail for threatening Erdogan Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli was sentenced to over four years in prison in a trial government critics say aimed at silencing one of Turkey's most influential journalists and intended to intimidate journalists nationwide. Turkey
Sudan bans UAE's Sky News Arabia following el-Fasher coverage The ban follows a controversial Sky News Arabia report from el-Fasher, where the network’s journalist was seen engaging with an RSF member just weeks after the group captured the city amid allegations of massacres and war crimes. Sudan
Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan. Turkey
Egypt holds second Senate vote as pro-Sisi parties dominate: What to know The Senate elections, dominated by pro-Sisi government parties, feature fewer party list and individual candidates compared to elections held in 2020. Egypt
Feature Families of Kurdish journalists slain in suspected Turkish drone strike in Syria want their remains By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey arrests prominent TV journalist over criticizing Ocalan's isolation Journalist Merdan Yanardag’s arrest comes amid a post-election climate in which many journalists feel threatened, according to media watchdogs. Turkey
Two Palestinian journalists shot during Israeli operation in West Bank The incident follows a US senator calling on the Biden administration to declassify the report on Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces while covering a raid last year. Palestine
Egypt frees long-held Al Jazeera journalist amid thaw with Qatar The release of Hisham Abdelaziz comes as Egypt and Qatar are working to normalize their relations after years of tension, even as Cairo continues its crackdown on journalists. Egypt
In Lebanon, journalists come under legal intimidation as press freedom declines Two editors-in-chief of independent Lebanese news outlets have been summoned by security services, reigniting freedom of the press issues in Lebanon. Lebanon
Germany's DW closure in Turkey sparks fears of pre-election media clampdown Deutsche Welle, which produces news in Turkish, will close its office next week after the government refused it permission to operate. Turkey
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
