Bahrain Arrests Twitter Users, Arab Leaders Warn of Social Media `Extremism`
Authorities in Bahrain have detained six people for allegedly defaming the country’s ruler on Twitter, while Arab interior ministers have warned of the “spread of extremism through social media networks.”
Egypt Blames Media for Plot to Topple Morsi
Bradley Hope on the increasing polarization of Egyptian media that has resulted in criticism against both government officials for consistently filing defamation lawsuits and journalists who have “spread conspiracy theories.”
A Journalist Takes a Road from Damascus after Five Years
Reporter Phil Sands on his experience leaving Syria after living in Damascus for five years.
Debate Flares Over Impact of Social Media on Arab Spring and `Other Revolutions`
An article on the debate over the role of social media during the Arab Spring in which different scholars have argued for and against social media’s necessity in the revolution.
Three Unconventional Documentaries from Gaza
Omar Shabaneh writes about three documentaries from Palestinian filmmaker Najah Awadallah that focus on marginalized women in Gaza.
Iraq, Camera, Action: Films Struggle with War`s Legacy
BBC’s Tara McKelvey on the difficulty of portraying the Iraq war in American films.
Egypt Cabinet to Review Ban on New Satellite Channels
Ahram Online reports on the Egypt cabinet’s decision to reconsider its ban on issuing licenses for new private satellite channels.
Ahmadinejad Under Fire for Consoling Chavez`s Mother
The BBC reports on whether a photo of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hugging the mother of Venezuelan President Hugo was doctored by the government after numerous conservatives criticized Mr. Ahmadinejad’s “inappropriate” behavior.
TV Host Accused of Promoting Terrorism
Reporters Without Borders expresses concern over TV journalist Dina Abdel Fattah, who has been investigated on suspicion of “promoting terrorism” by Egyptian authorities when she invited members of “Black Bloc,” a new protest movement on the political program “Al-Shaab Yourid.”
Mission Journal: Who is a Journalist in Egypt?
Joel Simon on the difference between journalism and activism in “a climate in which objectivity is impossible.” Simon speaks with Ibrahim Eissa, Dina Abdel Fattah, Reem Maged, and others.
Amid Protests, Egyptian Journalists, Newspaper Attacked
Committee to Protect Journalists reports on three separate episodes during protests in Cairo when journalists have come under attack, in at least two of which police were said to be assailants.
Kidnapped Ukrainian Journalist Reported Free
Ukrainian journalist Anhar Kochneva, who had been held by Syrian rebel forces since October, is free, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and news reports citing her family members.
Gunmen Storm Tripoli TV Station, Still Holding Two People
Reporters Without Borders condemns the 7 March attack on the Tripoli headquarters of Al-Assema, voicing concern for its owner Jomaa Al-Osta and its former executive director, Nabil Shebani, both taken away by gunmen.
Harlem Shake Raises Salafist Ire in Tunisia
Haifa Zaaiter argues that the Harlem Shake craze which has hit Tunisia may end up disarming the Salafists of their most potent weapon, denouncements of apostasy.
Citizens` Videos Capture Syrian Uprising
Al-Jazeera showcases citizens’ videos capturing the protests that have rocked Syria since March.
Iraq 10 Years: Photographs by Sean Smith
To mark ten years since the start of the Iraq War, some of photographer Sean Smith’s most thought-provoking and powerful images are displayed in a new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North in Trafford, Greater Manchester.
Iran Targets Reformist Press in the Run-up to Elections
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Iranian government’s continuing attempts to stifle the press in the run-up to the presidential elections in June after Iran bans three reformist news outlets and arrests four journalists.
For Iran and U.S., Mutually Restrictive Visa Policies
Joel Simon on the difficulties journalists face in receiving visas in the United States and Iran.
To Bridge Divide, Bahrain Should Expand Media Access
Jason Stern argues for Bahrain’s government to improve press access to international journalists, allowing local and citizen journalists more access to international media, and encouraging greater interaction between opposing sides of the government.
Iran Arrests Another Journalist in Campaign Against the Press
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expresses concern for Mohammad Javad Rouh, editor for the reformist monthly magazine Mehrnameh, who was arrested in his home in Tehran on Sunday, according to news reports.
Information Ministry Complaint Confuses Opinion with News Reporting
Reporters Without Borders expresses concern for the hearing postponed until 10 April for two journalists, the news director and the station’s CEO of Kuwaiti TV station Al-Yaum, after the journalists read out an opposition communiqué on the air during a news bulletin on 9 October 2012.
Death Threats and Attacks on Freedom of Expression Intensify in Tunisia
An open letter to the authorities in Tunisia, initiated by the World Association of New papers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), Norwegian PEN, PEN International WiPC and Index on Censorship and signed by twenty other IFEX members.
More Arrests and Closures After Release of Five Journalists
Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of Mohammad Mehdi Emami Naseri, the managing editor of the daily Maghreb, and Alireza Aghairad, its political editor as well as the suspension of Tajrobeh, Mehrnameh, and Aseman.
Egyptian Newspapers Infiltrated by the Brotherhood
Independent newspapers in Egypt are increasingly reporting attempts by the ruling Muslim Brotherhood to infiltrate and sabotage their publications, reports Mustafa Fathi.
A New Liberty Sweeps Through Jordan Radio
Rana F. Sweis writes “in a country where the news media are traditionally hemmed in by authoritarian legislation and self-censorship, such call-in shows are now able to address political topics and human rights issues that were unmentionable in public before the Arab Spring.”
Jordan Media: The King Wakes Up, The King Eats, The King Makes a Speech,
and on Seventh Day Doesn`t Even Rest
Mahmoud Munir on the homogeneous nature of Jordanian newspapers after King Abdullah’s II’s inaugural speech was “regurgitated” in multiple news outlets and “tailored by the powers that be.”
Kuwait Jails Two Twitter Users Insulting Emir
A court in Kuwait sentenced two opposition activists to prison terms on charges of writing remarks on their Twitter accounts that were deemed offensive to the emir.
From the Syria Media Roundup
Abou Eskandar Kayani Web TV on a project called "Kartouneh From Deir Ezzor," which reveals the hardships facing peaceful activists in Deir Ezzor.
Front Line Defenders Interview Razan Ghazzawi on her work for the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression as well as her personal experience of the revolution.
Social Media Buzz: Where They Shoot the Messenger
Mohammed Sergie on the death of Adballah Yasin, a media activist suspected to have been killed by a small FSA battalion.
From the Maghreb Media Roundup
ما لم يُنشر حول "خبابا" عدوان تڤنتورين
Mohamed Mahmoud Oul Abou, Executive Director of the news agency that oversees Noukachott Free Radio, outlines his relationship with Al-Qaeda member Mokhtar Belmokhtar and responds to suspicions that he collaborates with terrorists.
FreeArabs, le nouveau site internet d’Ahmed Benchemsi
Mehdi Chaibi highlights former TelQuel Editor in Chief Ahmed Benchemsi’s new project: FreeArabs.com
Projet de code de la presse. La morale, une "ligne rouge" supplémentaire?
Morocco’s Ministry of Communication proposes a set of laws that would allow police to seize and forbid publications for “moral violations.”
Si Les Chevaux de Dieu m’était conté
Qandisha’s Ghita Zine reviews « Le Chevaux de Dieu,» a new film about young men recruited by violent Islamic movements, by Nabil Ayouch.
Thala, Le Kef, Tunis: les journées du cinéma des droits et des libertés
Sana Sbaoui highlights film festival focusing on questions of liberty and rights.
The Tragic Story You May Never Have Heard of
CNN news anchor Christine Amanpour highlights the plight of the Sahrawi and a documentary by Javier Bardem.
From the Egypt Media Roundup:
“Layers of Resistance”
Sarah Mousa comments on street art as a form of protest in Egypt.
عن ثورة الموسيقى الكلاسيكية وقاعات السلطة وأمور أخرى
Ismail Alexandrani ponders on the ideas of music and revolution.
“Press Syndicate President Attacked by Journalists”
Muslim Brotherhood member and head of the press syndicate Mamdouh Al-Wali was attacked by journalists demanding justice for the murder of their colleague Al-Husseini Abu Deif.
“The Brotherhood vs. the Free Press”
Hani Shukrallah tells the story of Ahram Online and the Muslim Brotherhood’s efforts to tone down state and private media.
“2013 Journalists Syndicate elections: Back to the Old Rules of the Game”
The contenders for the post are the current managing editor of Al-Ahram and the head of the Al-Ahram Center for Studies.
From the Arabian Peninsula Roundup:
Forbes List Understates my Wealth, Saudi Prince Says
A news report on Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal’s accusation of Forbes magazines of understating his wealth by $20bn, on BCC.
It’s Shameful the Way Britain Kowtows to the Super-Rich
Ian Jack analyzes the significance of Prince Alwaleed’s outrage at his ranking in Forbes and its statement on the behavior of the super-wealthy, in The Guardian.
Prince Alwaleed And The Curious Case of Kingdom Holding Stock
Kerry Dolan writes on Forbes’ examination of the prince’s wealth and conclusion that he exaggerates the value of his Kingdom Holding, in Forbes.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Insulted at Only Being No. 26 on Forbes Rich List
Simon Neville and Josephine Moulds comment on the prince’s reaction to his rank in Forbes and his threat to sever all tied with the group’s reports, in The Guardian.
Kuwait – Journalist Zayed Al-Zaid imprisoned over article tackling corruption A news report on the arrest of the publisher of the electronic newspaper “Alaan” for calling for the combatting of corruption in Kuwait, on Gulf Center for Human Rights.
Bahrain Acquits Leading Rights Activist
A news report on the acquittal of Yousif al-Muhafda, deputy head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, of charges of circulating false news on Twitter, on Al-Akhbar English.
Bahrain Thanks UAE for Banning Speaker
Brian Whitaker writes on the Emirati authorities’ decision to deny entry to Kristian Ulrichsen of the London School of Economics who was scheduled to give a talk on Bahrain at a conference held by the American University of Sharjah and the London School of Economics, on Al-bab.
Second Conference Called Off
Scott Jaschik offers an account of the decision by Al Fanar Publication to cancel the conference “Education for What? The Future of Arab Universities,” which was supposed to be held in Dubai, following concerns over academic freedom, on Inside Higher Ed.
Gulf States Accused of Co-ordinated Crackdown on Dissent
Ian Black argues that “UAE’s refusal to grant entry to an LSE academic and two Bahraini journalists may stem from security deal agreed last year,” in The Guardian.
From the O.I.L. Media Roundup:
"The NYT Grants David Barron and Marty Lederman a Mulligan on 18 USC 1119."
Wheeler criticizes a recent New York Times piece on the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki as giving a free pass to the authors of the OLC memo on the killing by making unchallenged assertions that the paper is legally sound and not a "Bush-style theory…of sweeping presidential war powers."
Other articles on Jadaliyya addressing media:
Bedoon Children Arbitrarily Arrested (Video)
Group 29’s short documentary “Without (Bedoon) Guilt” interviews the stateless children of Timaa’ who, hours after a peaceful protest on 4 October 2012, were detained by Kuwaiti security forces.
Mainstream Taboo on Criticizing Israel Suffers Visible Cracks (Video)
Omar Baddar looks at how public discourse has impacted support for Palestinian rights in the United States over the last decade.
Almost Two Years of Bloodshed in Syria: What End is There in Sight?
Professor Beshara Doumani of Brown University speaks with Syrian-born activist and sociologist Yasser Munif about the current state of Syria as the second anniversary of the uprising approaches.
She Who Tells a Story: Interview with the Photography Collective Rawiya
Michelle Woodward interviews Rawiya, a collective of photographers from the Middle East, which is garnering accolades and attention internationally.
Exposing Sexual Violence in Morocco: An Interview with Nadir Bouhmouch
Allison L. McManus interviews Moroccan filmmaker and activist Nadir Bouhmouch.
Ahmed Al Omran on Social Media and the Saudi Blogosphere
An interview with blogger Ahmed Al Omran, as part of an ongoing Profile of a Contemporary Conduit series on Jadaliyya that seeks to highlight distinct voices primarily in and from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.
[The "Media On Media Roundup" is an initiative to survey published material in the news and broadcast media that deals with journalism, coverage, or mass communication practices about the region. The items collected here do not reflect the views of the Media Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to media@jadaliyya.com by Friday night of every week.]