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 …

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 …

BBC Monitoring Analysis by Muhammad Shukri of BBC Monitoring on 26 June     Al-Nas (The People) TV, an Arabic-language religious satellite TV channel which broadcasts 24 hours a day from the Media Production City in 6 October City in Egypt, has mesmerized Egyptian and Arab viewers generally.     A few months after …

BBC Monitoring Text of report by Palestinian Ramattan News Agency website, headlined: "In new statement, Army of Islam reiterates demand to free Sajidah, Abu-Qatadah, Al-Maqdisi in exchange for Johnston's release" - Ramattan headline]     Gaza, 26 June: The Army of Islam reiterated its demand to free Sajidah al-Iraqiyah [sentenced to death …

BBC Monitoring Text of report by Sharjah newspaper Al-Khalij website on 26 June     Political forces in Sudan have denounced a ban on reporting on the Kajbar dam in newspapers, describing it as an attempt by the government to hide the facts, thus making the Sudanese vulnerable to rumours in a …

BBC Monitoring Analysis by Amani Soliman of BBC Monitoring,     The events in Gaza dominated the coverage of the pan-Arab satellite channels, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, between 11-16 June.     On 11 June, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya were busy with the Shura Council elections in Egypt, which took up most of their air time. …

BBC Monitoring Analysis by Malik Mohamed al-Abdeh of BBC Monitoring on 20 June     The struggle for power between Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas has spilled over to the internet, with a "video war" conducted using the popular video sharing website YouTube. As both groups have moved to disrupt each other's …

BBC Monitoring Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA     Cairo, 20 June: The 40th session of the Arab Information Ministers' Council began meetings under Lebanon's chairmanship here on Wednesday [20 June].     Information Minister Anas Fiqi is leading the Egyptian delegation.     The ministers held a behind-closed-door session before …

The Arab Broadcast Forum both intentionally and inadvertently exposed some of the obstacles that continue to plague Arab World television media, as well as the conference’s own shortcomings. But its ability to critically examine these things?despite some flaws?demonstrates that the Arab media is at least on the right track, says Abigail Hauslohner.

Larry Register’s forced departure from the US public diplomacy channel marks a low point for American efforts at broadcasting to the Middle East, an entirely predictable debacle which likely puts paid to even the slender hopes that the station might turn itself around argues Editorial Board Member Marc Lynch.