Journalism is under attack by dictatorships in Middle East

The Middle East is a hotspot for severe violations against the free press, including arbitrary arrests, kidnappings, and murders. These repressive actions present a significant threat to freedom of the press and expression, limiting people's access to accurate and reliable information.

The violations extend beyond killings to encompass arbitrary arrests, detentions, intimidation, harassment, and censorship of media content. For example, journalist Suleiman Ahmed was kidnapped in October 2023 and has been missing for nearly eight months without any knowledge of his fate, despite widespread condemnation and appeals for his release.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party kidnapped him and feared his free voice. This is how opposition voices are suppressed, and the journalist becomes a victim of persecution, noting the absence of accountability and punishment for crimes committed against journalists as violations continue unchecked. In the latest violation against the free press, on July 7, the Turkish occupation targeted the staff of the Gra TV channel and Gra TV radio, an air force in the Shengal province.

Violations of journalists in Arab countries by the numbers

One of the worst practices of dictatorship worldwide is the suppression of journalists through threats, kidnappings, illegal arrests, and even killings, which have been increasingly observed recently. Journalist and human rights activist Nahla Salama stated to ANHA's agency: 'Reports indicate that violations against journalists have escalated since 2018.' Notably, in Palestine, there were 1,549 violations, in Syria, 268 violations, and in Lebanon, 629 violations were reported; these figures point to a concerning trend that endangers press freedom.

Nahla Salama elaborated: 'The most recent violation involved journalist Suleiman Ahmed, who was intentionally kidnapped by the Kurdistan Democratic Party while he was returning from a family visit. Such an act violates human rights and the freedom of the press. The Kurdistan Democratic Party condemned the kidnapping, claiming it was unrelated to Suleiman Ahmed's journalistic activities. However, reality contradicts this, revealing the depth of oppression and the suppression of silencing voices advocating for truth.' Nahla Salama questioned why journalist Suleiman Ahmed was abducted under mysterious circumstances and why his lawyer was prohibited from meeting him until seven months later, without being provided with accurate and comprehensive information about the reasons for his detention.

The Western world remains silent in the face of violations against journalists. Nahla Salama has confirmed that these violations occur without any concern from the countries that have established laws and charters to protect the freedom of journalists. This lack of action has led Arab countries and the region to sign these agreements without implementing them, lacking any references or accountability.

Nahla Salama has explained that it is crucial to review these charters and laws and ensure that Arab countries and the region comply with them. She emphasized the challenge posed by the prevalence of militias, dictatorial parties, and repressive regimes, questioning how these laws can be enforced under such circumstances.

She asked, Today, who protects journalists in the Arab and Western countries? Unfortunately, the answer is that no one protects journalists. She pointed out the most serious threats against journalists recently, and stated, We can also witness them through social media sites. Any opinion of an opposition journalist that may not be liked by another opinion leads to the journalist being threatened in all ways, from kidnapping to blackmail to murder.

Nahla Salama described the reality of journalism today as dangerous and called on countries that have established laws and conventions to protect journalists to reconsider the laws and conventions in order to limit these practices, violations, and repressive acts against journalists who carry out their professional duty and mission to convey the truth.

T/ Satt.

ANHA