Middle East & North Africa

2013

  

Palestinian journalist released after two years

Israeli authorities released Palestinian journalist Amer Abu Arafa, a correspondent for Shihab News Agency, on August 5, 2013, after holding him in administrative detention for nearly two years, according to news reports.

Read More ›

UAE authorities release Egyptian journalist after a month

The Emirati authorities released the Egyptian journalist Anas Fouda on August 4, 2013, after holding him incommunicado without charge for a month, the journalist told CPJ. Security officials told Fouda that his UAE residency was revoked and took him to the Abu Dhabi International Airport, where he flew to Cairo to join his family, Fouda…

Read More ›

Journalists attacked and threatened in Tunisia

Several Tunisian journalists reported being harassed, threatened, and attacked during the three-day protests following the July 25, 2013, assassination of opposition leader Mohamed al-Barahmi, according to local journalists and news reports.

Read More ›

Journalist arrested, another believed to be held in Bahrain

New York, August 1, 2013–A Bahraini blogger has been detained and a photographer is missing amid signs that Bahraini authorities are trying to crack down on critical voices ahead of protests planned for August 14, according to news reports.

Read More ›

Egyptian journalist held without charge in UAE

New York, August 1, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate release of Egyptian journalist Anas Fouda, who has been held without charge by the United Arab Emirates authorities for almost a month.

Read More ›

Obaida Batal, correspondent for Orient News, has been taken hostage in Syria. (Orient News)

Attacks on Orient News illustrate Syria’s many threats

It is increasingly difficult to document violations against the press in Syria, let alone hold those responsible to account. It has always been hard to verify facts within the country. But now, the sheer number of violations and the expanding list of violators have become admittedly overwhelming. 

Read More ›

Hamas closes two media offices in Gaza

New York, July 26, 2013–The Hamas-led government in Gaza on Thursday shut down the local offices of Al-Arabiya and the Palestinian news agency Maan after accusing the outlets of publishing “false” news, according to news reports.

Read More ›

Journalists report being harassed, censored, and attacked amid clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted President Morsi. Here, Morsi supporters hold up his portrait and shout slogans. (AFP/Fayez Nureldine)

In Egypt, journalists report being attacked, harassed

New York, July 25, 2013–Several journalists have reported being harassed, censored, or attacked over the past week in Egypt, according to news reports and local journalists. The incidents come as Egyptian authorities have announced their intentions to abolish prison terms for insult charges.

Read More ›

Polish journalist abducted in Syria

New York, July 25, 2013–A Polish freelance journalist was believed to have been abducted in northwest Syria on Wednesday, according to news reports citing local activists.

Read More ›

Abdulelah Hider Shaea smiles after being released from jail. (Reuters/Farouq al-Sharani)

Abdulelah Shaea freed after three years in Yemeni jail

New York, July 24, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release on Tuesday of Yemeni freelance journalist Abdulelah Hider Shaea, who had been imprisoned for almost three years on anti-state charges. Shaea was released yesterday after President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi issued a pardon, which also stipulated that the journalist could not leave Sana’a,…

Read More ›

2013