Category: <span>Middle East and North Africa</span>

Atheist convicted of insulting Muslims apologises on Facebook

Atheist Ghazi Beji, who was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison in absentia last March for insulting Islam has written an apology to...

Tunisia shutters information reform body

by Afef Abrougui | 24 Jul 12

In an unexpected move on 4 July, the National Authority for Information and Communication Reform (INRIC) put an end to its activities. INRIC was...

UAE: Activist deported to Thailand

by Marta Cooper | 17 Jul 12

The United Arab Emirates deported an online activist to Thailand yesterday, it has been reported. Ahmed Abdul Khaleq was stripped of his rights to...

New president Morsi faces hostile media

by Shahira Amin | 12 Jul 12

Egypt’s newly-elected President Mohamed Morsi has been the target of a media campaign aimed at tarnishing both his image and that of Islamists. The...

Concern as Tunisian media freedom body shuts down

by Afef Abrougui | 10 Jul 12

On 4 July the National Authority for Information and Communication Reform (INRIC), a body enlisted with helping reform the media landscape in...

Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab jailed for tweets

by Sara Yasin | 09 Jul 12

Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) was taken into custody by Bahraini authorities today after a court sentenced...

Radio show host banned after station boss storms studio to confront outspoken guest

by Afef Abrougui | 09 Jul 12

Tunisian radio journalist Nadia Heddaoui Mabkhout was denied access to the headquarters of RTCI (Radio Tunis Chaîne Internationale), suspended from...

Despite threats, Syrian composer continues to speak out against regime

by Sara Yasin | 03 Jul 12

As he watched a horrifying crackdown unfold in his homeland of Syria after the start of popular protests on 15 March last year, US-based Syrian...

Shutting down culture in Iran

by Index on Censorship | 03 Jul 12

In recent weeks, Iran has clamped down on cultural institutions, including officially revoking the license of 27-year old publishing house Cheshmeh...