Middle East & North Africa

  
A man reads the Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper in Manama, Bahrain, on June 22, 2009. A columnist at the paper has recently disappeared and is believed to be in government custody. (AFP/Adam Jan)

Bahraini journalist Ibrahim al-Sheikh believed to be detained on false news charges

New York, April 17, 2019 — Bahraini authorities must immediately clarify whether they are detaining Akhbar al-Khaleej columnist Ibrahim al-Sheikh and, if so, release him immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Journalists injured while covering protests in northwestern Iraq

Two journalists covering demonstrations in northwestern Iraq suffered injuries on March 22, 2019, when they were struck by a vehicle carrying the provincial governor, according to an account by one of the journalists, and local press freedom groups.

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Aymeric Vincenot, AFP's Algiers bureau chief, sits at his office on March 1, 2019. Vincenot was recently expelled from Algiers after authorities declined to renew his press permit. (AFP)

Algeria expels AFP bureau chief Aymeric Vincenot after accreditation expires

New York, April 16, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the expulsion of Aymeric Vincenot, the Agence France-Presse bureau chief in Algiers, and called on the Algerian government to facilitate press accreditation for foreign journalists.

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Palestinian protesters run for cover as Israeli forces fire tear gas canisters east of Gaza City on March 30, 2019. At least 10 journalists have been hurt by Israeli forces since late March. (AFP/Mahmud Hams)

At least 10 Palestinian journalists injured by Israeli soldiers while covering Gaza protests since late March

At least 10 Palestinian journalists were injured by gunfire, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters fired by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip from March 22 to April 5, 2019, according to the journalists, news reports, and local press freedom groups.

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A cameraman gets into position as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 16, 2018. At least four journalists were recently arrested in Saudi Arabia, and their whereabouts are unknown. (AP/Leah Millis)

At least four more journalists arrested in Saudi crackdown

New York, April 8, 2019 — Saudi Arabian authorities must immediately release journalists Thumar al-Marzouqi, Bader al-Ibrahim, Mohammed al-Sadiq, and Abdullah al-Duhailan and stop their brazen campaign against the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A Moroccan policeman guards a checkpoint on January 11, 2017. Four local journalists were recently handed suspended sentences in Morocco, and a foreign journalist was expelled. (AFP/Fadel Senna)

Morocco hands local journalists suspended prison sentences, expels Dutch journalist

On January 2, 2018, a court in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, charged four local journalists with disclosing unpublished information concerning a parliamentary commission of inquiry, according to one of the journalists, Mohammed Ahdad, who spoke with CPJ. On March 27, 2019, the court gave each journalist a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 10,000…

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People protest in Algiers, Algeria, March 29, 2019. Two foreign reporters were recently expelled from the country. (Ramzi Boudina/Reuters)

Tunisian Reuters and TRT journalists detained, expelled during Algeria protests

New York, April 4, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the detention and expulsion of two Tunisian journalists from Algeria and called on Algerian authorities to allow the foreign press to freely cover demonstrations in the country.

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Egyptian photojournalist Shawkan plays with his niece at his home in Cairo after being freed from prison on March 4. As a condition of his release , Shawkan must return to custody every day at 6 p.m. (AFP/Khaled Desouk)

In Egypt, ‘freedom’ ends daily at 6pm for Shawkan and Abdelfattah

Relief over the release of Egyptian journalists Mahmoud Abou Zeid, known as Shawkan, and Alaa Abdelfattah from prison last month has been clouded by the conditions of their freedom. “I am happy to see your joy over my release, but I am unfortunately not free,” Abdelfattah wrote to his large following on social media yesterday.…

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A poster of Saudi Arabia's King and Crown Prince, in Jeddah in November 2017. Medical assessments leaked to The Guardian reveal the abuse of detainees, including at least four journalists, in Saudi prisons. (Reuters/Reem Baeshen)

Infographic: Journalists named in Guardian report on torture in Saudi jails

Individuals detained under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s crackdown on dissent, including at least four journalists, are being abused and tortured in Saudi prisons, according to medical assessments prepared for King Salman and leaked to The Guardian.

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A woman carries a flag in front of police during a protest in Algiers on March 29. Amid weeks of unrest, Algerian journalists are staging their own demonstrations over censorship. (Reuters/Ramzi Boudina)

Barred from covering unrest, Algerian journalists hold own protests

In a Q&A with CPJ, Algerian journalist Lynda Abbou explains why protests that have swept the country in recent weeks were a pivotal moment for journalists frustrated at censorship.

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