BBC Monitoring Text of report in English by Palestinian Ma'an News Agency website Gaza, 7 July: Last week, the chief editor of Ma'an News Agency received direct threats on his mobile telephone from Hamas spokesperson, Fawzi Barhum, who demanded that Ma'an avoid criticizing the Hamas movement. He threatened that, if …
Read More »Syrian daily resumes publication ceased after cartoon on president’s nomination
BBC Monitoring Text of report by London-based, Saudi-owned Elaph website on 6 July [Report by Bahiyah Mardini in Damascus: "Newspaper Owned by Son of Former Official Returns After Suspension"] A Syrian daily newspaper owned by the son of a former official has returned to the markets after it was hinted …
Read More »Saudi Arabia to licence more radio stations
BBC Monitoring Text of posting by Ahmed Al-Omran on Riyadh-based weblog Saudi Jeans on 5 July 07 Al-Yaum daily recently reported Iyad Madani, Minister of Culture and Information, saying his ministry will soon start to give permissions to more FM radio stations to broadcast in the Kingdom. For the past …
Read More »Al Arabiya debate has Hamas, Fatah and UK spokesmen discuss Johnston’s release
BBC Monitoring Dubai Al-Arabiya Television in Arabic at 1940 gmt on 4 July carries live within its daily "Panorama" programme a panel discussion on the release of British journalist Alan Johnston. To discuss this issue, anchorwoman Muntaha al-Ramahi hosts in the studio Jon Wilks, official spokesman for the British Government; …
Read More »Al-Jazeera shows video of Al-Aqsa TV worker reportedly shot by Israeli Army
BBC Monitoring Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel Television in Arabic at 1201 gmt on 5 July carries the following announcer-read report over video: "Imad Ghanim, a journalist at the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa Satellite Channel, was seriously wounded as a result of an obvious Israeli insistence on directly shooting him. The videotape shows Imad …
Read More »Army of Islam says BBC Gaza reporter’s release based on religious decision
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Palestinian Ramattan News Agency website ["Army of Islam says: "The release of the British journalist was on the basis of a decision by a religious committee chaired by Shaykh Salman al-Dayah" - Ramattan headline] Gaza, 4 July (Ramattan) - The Army of Islam, the …
Read More »Analysis: Iranian media outlets face further restrictions
BBC Monitoring By BBC Monitoring's Media Specialists on 4 July Another newspaper has been banned in Iran, the reformist Ham-Mihan; and at the same time, the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) has apparently shut down temporarily after its managing director Mas'ud Heydari submitted his resignation on 3 July. ILNA has …
Read More »BBC journalist freed but perils of reporting from Gaza remain
BBC Monitoring Analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC Monitoring on 4 July Amidst widespread rejoicing at the release of BBC reporter Alan Johnston early on 4 July, the two leading Palestinian political factions have sought to claim their share of credit for the outcome. Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip …
Read More »Palestinian Hamas wing issues statement on release of BBC journalist
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Izz-al-Din al-Qassam Brigades website on 4 July [Military Statement by Izz-al-Din al-Qassam Brigades: "Release of Journalist Johnston is Palestinian National Interest Realized by Efforts of Loyal People in Abidance by Shari'ah, Ethical, National Stand"] Four months have passed on the kidnapping of British Journalist …
Read More »Palestinian Hamas figure interviewed on BBC reporter’s release
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 4 July [Interview with Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the deposed Palestinian prime minister, via satellite from Gaza, by Hasan Jammul in the studio - live] [Jammul] Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the deposed Palestinian prime minister, joins us from Gaza …
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