Analysis Why closure of Al Jazeera is futile and slippery slope for Israel There is broad understanding in Israel that shutting down Al Jazeera's local outfit is not only technologically impossible but also harmful to Israel's international image. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Israel’s Netanyahu vows to shut Al Jazeera after Knesset law The prime minister's pledge drew statements of concern and condemnation from the White House and the Committee to Protect Journalists. Israel
Analysis Can France restore Morocco ties without shifting on Western Sahara? On a visit to Rabat, French Foreign minister Stephane Sejourne acknowledged for the first time the importance of the Western Sahara issue for Moroccan diplomacy, but did not commit to any movement by Paris on the issue. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Kurdish journalists harassed, detained ahead of key municipal race in Turkey The detentions come amid ongoing demonstrations across the majority-Kurdish southeast region in the run-up to the 25th anniversary of the arrest of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party leader Abdullah Ocalan. Turkey
Analysis UAE-backed fund's planned Telegraph takeover raises press freedom fears By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Gaza journalists killed at rate of 7.5%, higher than US soldiers in recent wars: IFJ IFJ has recorded the death of 75 journalists in Gaza since Oct. 7 out of an estimated 1,000 working there before the war began. Palestine
Iranian journalist Sara Massoumi sentenced to prison over tweet: lawyer Sara Massoumi criticized the Islamic Republic over the death of teenage girl Armita Geravand, who some allege was beaten for not wearing the hijab. Iran
Why did MSNBC cancel show hosted by Mehdi Hasan, fierce critic of Israel’s war? The US cable TV channel MSNBC announced on Thursday that it is canceling Mehdi Hasan’s Sunday night show, prompting a backlash from progressives and pro-Palestinian activists. Palestine
Can Lebanon's parliament further restrict press freedom in new law? The media landscape in Lebanon has witnessed more attacks against journalists in recent years. Lebanon
Israeli strike kills two TV journalists in south Lebanon The killing of Al-Mayadeen reporters sparked outrage in Lebanon and condemnation over a bombing campaign that's killed at least 50 journalists since Oct. 7. Lebanon
At least 48 journalists killed in Gaza war, 43 Palestinians, deadliest since 1992 Dozens of journalists and media workers have been killed in the region since the Hamas-Israel war erupted more than a month ago. Palestine
Why did Lebanon issue warrant for journalist over interview with Israeli official? Journalists reporting on the prospects of Lebanon being dragged into a war have faced growing pressure and harassment. Lebanon
Turkey’s top court upholds controversial media law as EU laments 'democratic backsliding' The ruling coincided with the release of the EU Commission's annual report which noted “continued deterioration” in the country’s democratic standards, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary. Turkey
Israel-Hamas war sees highest death toll for journalists in 31 years Palestine TV said its its correspondent Mohammad Abu Hatab was killed in an Israeli airstrike, the latest of dozens of Palestinian, Israeli and Lebanese journalists to be killed since the war began. Palestine
At least 24 journalists, majority Palestinians, killed in Israel-Hamas war The number of journalists killed in the Israel-Hamas war in three weeks already exceeds the number of journalists killed in Ukraine in the year and half since Russia invaded, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Israel
Tributes pour in for Giselle Khoury, Lebanon’s maverick journalist, after battle with cancer Khoury, 62, was one of the Arab world’s most prominent TV anchors, with a career that started in 1986 at the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation. Lebanon
.jpg?h=502e75fa&itok=bfs8C-67)
