freedom of the press

Israel orders Al Jazeera to close its local operation and seizes some of its equipment

The recent news of Israel ordering Al Jazeera to close its local operation and seizing some of its equipment is a glaring example of media censorship that cannot be ignored. As I reflect on this issue, I am struck by the patterns of silencing dissenting voices that seem to be emerging not just in Israel but in other countries as well. The targeting of doctors, aid workers, college students, and now the media raises concerns about the state of democracy in the region.

Israel, often touted as the greatest democracy in the Middle East, must critically examine such authoritarian actions within its government.… Continue reading

Judge in Trump case orders media not to report where potential jurors work

As I sit here pondering the recent news about the judge in the Trump case ordering the media not to report on where potential jurors work, I can’t help but shake my head in disbelief. Did they really need to be explicitly told not to do that? It baffles me how far-reaching the judge’s power is in this situation, and it raises the question of what consequences the media will face if they choose to ignore this directive.

It’s disheartening to see news organizations, such as Fox News, toeing the line by breadcrumbing the identities of potential jurors in a high-profile case.… Continue reading