STOCKHOLM: A Swedish-Eritrean journalist held incommunicado without charge in Eritrea for more than 23 years won a Swedish rights prize on Monday for his fight for freedom of expression, the jury said.
Dawit Isaak was among a group of around two dozen people, including senior cabinet ministers, members of parliament and independent journalists, who were seized in a purge in September 2001.
He was awarded the Edelstam Prize “for his outstanding contribution and exceptional courage in standing up for freedom of expression, one’s beliefs, and in the defense of human rights,” the Edelstam Foundation said in a statement.
Amnesty International considers Isaak a prisoner of conscience, and press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says he and his colleagues detained at the same time are the longest-held journalists in the world.
UN rights experts have demanded Asmara immediately release him.
Eritrea has provided no news about him, and there are fears he may no longer even be alive. He would be 60 years old.
His daughter Betlehem Isaak will accept the award on his behalf in Stockholm on November 19.
Isaak fled to Sweden in 1987 during Eritrea’s struggle against Ethiopia which eventually led to independence in 1993.
After obtaining Swedish citizenship, he returned to Eritrea in 2001 to help shape the media landscape, and co-founded Setit, the country’s first independent newspaper.
He was arrested shortly after the paper published articles demanding political reforms.
Asmara has not provided any information about his whereabouts or health over the years, which UN experts in 2021 deemed “extremely concerning.”
But they said a credible source had indicated Isaak was still alive in September 2020.
The Edelstam Prize is awarded in memory of Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam, who as ambassador to Chile at the time of Augusto Pinochet’s 1973 military coup granted thousands of Chileans and other Latin Americans safe conduct to, and political asylum in, Sweden.
Jailed Swedish-Eritrean journalist wins rights prize
https://arab.news/26und
Jailed Swedish-Eritrean journalist wins rights prize
- Dawit Isaak has been held incommunicado without charge in Eritrea for more than 23 years
Bluesky has added 1 million users since the US election as people seek alternatives to X
- Bluesky said Wednesday that its total users surged to 15 million, up from roughly 13 million at the end of October
- Championed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky was an invitation-only space until it opened to the public in February
LOS ANGELES: Social media site Bluesky has gained 1 million new users in the week since the US election, as some X users look for an alternative platform to post their thoughts and engage with others online.
Bluesky said Wednesday that its total users surged to 15 million, up from roughly 13 million at the end of October.
Championed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky was an invitation-only space until it opened to the public in February. That invite-only period gave the site time to build out moderation tools and other features. The platform resembles Elon Musk’s X, with a “discover” feed as well a chronological feed for accounts that users follow. Users can send direct messages and pin posts, as well as find “starter packs” that provide a curated list of people and custom feeds to follow.
The post-election uptick in users isn’t the first time that Bluesky has benefitted from people leaving X. Bluesky gained 2.6 million users in the week after X was banned in Brazil in August — 85 percent of them from Brazil, the company said. About 500,000 new users signed up in the span of one day last month, when X signaled that blocked accounts would be able to see a user’s public posts.
Despite Bluesky’s growth, X posted last week that it had “dominated the global conversation on the US election” and had set new records. The platform saw a 15.5 percent jump in new-user signups on Election Day, X said, with a record 942 million posts worldwide. Representatives for Bluesky and for X did not respond to requests for comment.
Bluesky has referenced its competitive relationship to X through tongue-in-cheeks comments, including an Election Day post on X referencing Musk watching voting results come in with President-elect Donald Trump.
“I can guarantee that no Bluesky team members will be sitting with a presidential candidate tonight and giving them direct access to control what you see online,” Bluesky said.
Across the platform, new users — among them journalists, left-leaning politicians and celebrities — have posted memes and shared that they were looking forward to using a space free from advertisements and hate speech. Some said it reminded them of the early days of X, when it was still Twitter.
On Wednesday, The Guardian said it would no longer post on X, citing “far right conspiracy theories and racism” on the site as a reason. At the same time, television journalist Don Lemon posted on X that he is leaving the platform but will continue to use other social media, including Bluesky.
Lemon said he felt X was no longer a place for “honest debate and discussion.” He noted changes to the site’s terms of service set to go into effect Friday that state lawsuits against X must be filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas rather than the Western District of Texas. Musk said in July that he was moving X’s headquarters to Texas from San Francisco.
“As the Washington Post recently reported on X’s decision to change the terms, this ‘ensures that such lawsuits will be heard in courthouses that are a hub for conservatives, which experts say could make it easier for X to shield itself from litigation and punish critics,’” Lemon wrote. “I think that speaks for itself.”
Last year, advertisers such as IBM, NBCUniversal and its parent company Comcast fled X over concerns about their ads showing up next to pro-Nazi content and hate speech on the site in general, with Musk inflaming tensions with his own posts endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
Al Jazeera Gaza bureau chief Wael Dahdouh to receive 2024 International Press Freedom Award
- His resilience despite devastating personal losses is ‘inspiration for reporters around the world,’ says head of award organizer the National Press Club
- Dahdouh learned during a live broadcast that an Israeli airstrike had killed his wife, 15-year-old son, 7-year-old daughter, and 8 other relatives
LONDON: Wael Dahdouh, media organization Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, has been honored by the National Press Club with its 2024 John Aubuchon International Press Freedom Award for his reporting on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The journalists’ organization, which is based in Washington D.C., said Dahdouh will receive its highest honor in recognition of his “determination to keep his bureau open and video feed available to the general audience and other journalists.”
Dahdouh gained worldwide recognition for his reporting on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, even after suffering devastating personal losses.
In deeply moving scenes that caught the world’s attention, he learned during a live broadcast on Oct. 28, 2023, that an airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp had killed his wife, 15-year-old son, 7-year-old daughter, and eight other relatives. He lost his other son, Hamza, also a reporter for Al Jazeera, in another Israeli air raid on Jan. 7 this year.
Dahdouh himself was injured by Israeli drone fire on Dec. 15, 2023, while covering an attack on a school in Khan Younis. He required surgery for his injuries and traveled to Qatar for treatment.
Announcing the award in Berlin on Tuesday, Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club, said: “Despite his physical and emotional wounds, Dahdouh remains resilient as he works to recover. His endurance, strength and perseverance are an inspiration for reporters around the world.”
His award will be officially presented during the National Press Club’s annual Fourth Estate Gala on Nov. 21 at its offices in Washington.
At least 137 journalists and other media workers, mostly Palestinians, are known to have been killed since the start of the conflict in October last year. Media advocacy organizations say the true death toll might be even higher.
“The National Press Club has and will continue to advocate for all journalists, including Israeli journalists, Lebanese journalists and Palestinian journalists,” Wilkins said.
“The club continues to fight for Aubuchon honorees long after the gala ends. We will work until they are freed from prison or find justice in a court, no matter if it takes months, years or decades. We stand by our honorees and we will stand by Wael Dahdouh.”
Guardian exits Elon Musk’s X platform over ‘toxic content’ and US election coverage
- British newspaper said Musk’s ability to influence political discourse during US election reinforced its decision
LONDON: The Guardian announced Wednesday it will cease posting from its official accounts on X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, citing concerns over its recent coverage of the US election and a growing prevalence of “toxic content.”
The British newspaper, which operates over 80 accounts on X with a combined following of nearly 27 million, said the decision takes effect immediately.
“We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X (formerly Twitter),” said The Guardian.
“We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and that resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere.”
The Guardian pointed to a rise in “disturbing content” on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racist content, as well as coverage of the US presidential election that it said reinforced its decision.
Why the Guardian is no longer posting on X https://t.co/j4fRgzSYde
— The Guardian (@guardian) November 13, 2024
Since Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of X in October 2022, the platform has come under fire for its perceived failure to curb misinformation, especially on high-stakes topics like the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and government elections, including in the US.
Despite mounting pressure from rights groups and government officials who have warned of potential fines, Musk has upheld what he calls a “free speech absolutist” approach, defending his stance on minimal content moderation.
The Guardian described X as a “toxic media platform” that no longer meets conditions for responsible publishing.
“Social media can be an important tool for news organisations and help us to reach new audiences but, at this point, X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work,” it explained.
Content from The Guardian will still be shareable on X, and reporters will continue to use the platform for news-gathering purposes.
The Guardian joins other media outlets in boycotting X over disputes with Musk. Last year, National Public Radio stopped posting after the platform labeled it “state-affiliated media,” a designation that also prompted PBS, a US public broadcaster, to suspend its activity on X.
Trump nominates Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary
- Trump is rolling out a steady stream of appointees and nominees for his upcoming administration, working thus far at a faster pace
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida: President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary.
Hegseth deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and unsuccessfully ran for Senate in Minnesota in 2012 before joining Fox News.
“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down,” Trump said in a statement. “Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength’ policy.”
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is nominating former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. He also said he had chosen former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel and his longtime friend Steven Witkoff to be a special envoy to the Middle East.
In a flurry of announcements, Trump also named Bill McGinley, his Cabinet secretary in his first administration, as his White House counsel.
Trump is rolling out a steady stream of appointees and nominees for his upcoming administration, working thus far at a faster pace and without as much drama as his first transition following his 2016 victory.
A former Republican congressman from Texas, Ratcliffe served as director of national intelligence for the final months of Trump’s first term, leading the US government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. He is a more traditional pick for the role, which requires Senate confirmation, than some rumored loyalists pushed by some of Trump’s supporters.
Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel, and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align US foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Witkoff is a Florida real estate investor who is serving as a chair of Trump’s inaugural committee. He also spent time in the world of New York real estate, where Trump first made his mark as a public figure.
As intelligence director, Ratcliffe was criticized by Democrats for declassifying in the final days of the 2020 presidential election Russian intelligence alleging damaging information about Democrats during the 2016 race even though he acknowledged it might not be true.
Ratcliffe’s visibility rose as he emerged in 2019 as an ardent defender of Trump during the House’s first impeachment proceedings against him. He was a member of Trump’s impeachment advisory team and strenuously questioned witnesses during the impeachment hearings.
After the Democratic-controlled House voted to impeach Trump, Ratcliffe said, “This is the thinnest, fastest and weakest impeachment our country has ever seen.” He also forcefully questioned former special counsel Robert Mueller when he testified before the House Judiciary Committee about his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
“I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement. “He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, frequently advertising the trips on conservative-leaning news outlets.
“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”
David Friedman, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel in his first term, said he was “thrilled” by Trump’s selection of Huckabee.
Witkoff is also the president-elect’s golf partner and was with him when he was the target of a second assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September.
Trump’s transition team did not offer details about the Middle East envoy role, but Trump said in a statement, “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud.”
The selection of Witkoff follows a pattern for Trump in putting people close to him in pivotal roles on the Middle East portfolio. Eight years ago he appointed his former corporate attorney Jason Greenbaltt as his special representative for international negotiations and relied on his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as his personal envoy in talks in the region.
Arab News Japan honored with Chief of Mission Award by Japan Consulate in Dubai
- Speaking specifically about Arab News Japan, the Consul-General commended the platform for its work
DUBAI: The consul general of Japan in Dubai, Jun Imanishi, recently hosted a Chief of Mission Award ceremony, during which Arab News Japan was recognized for its efforts in strengthening ties between Japan and the UAE.
The ceremony, held at the consul’s residence, highlighted Arab News Japan’s role in bridging cultural and business relationships between the Gulf Cooperation Council region and Japan.
Imanishi explained that the Chief of Mission Award is granted to individuals and organizations that contribute to fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Japan, the UAE, and Dubai.
Others honored included Yamanote Atelier founder Sheikh Suhail Al-Maktoum and freelance journalist Amin Abbas.
The consul general said his motto regarding diplomacy is that it is all about people-to-people relations. “People need to support each other.”
He continued by acknowledging the collective efforts that contributed to strengthening bilateral ties: “Sheikh Suhail, the Yamanote supporting team, the raw material supplier in Japan, Amin (Abbas), the Arab News team, editors, interpreters, and many others have been involved in raising the level of relations between Japan, the UAE, and Dubai.”
Speaking specifically about Arab News Japan, the consul general commended the platform for its work: “It has shown and brought the region closer to Japan in terms of mutual understanding.
“We sincerely hope that Yamanote, through people’s stomachs, and Arab News Japan, through words and photos on social media, will contribute to build the bridge between our two countries,” he said.
During the ceremony, Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed by the consul general. “Our mission is to bridge the gap between the Middle East and the Far East,” Abbas said.
“In all our international editions, be it in our Japanese edition, in our Pakistan edition, in our French edition and hopefully in our upcoming editions, we make sure it is not merely translation; we make sure that we adopt part of the culture and look for that cultural aspect that brings us together,” Abbas told guests.
He said that while the region is currently going through conflict, it is important to remember Japan.
“Japan is inspirational, because we should not forget that not a long time ago, this country was completely destroyed after the Second World War, yet look where it is today,” he said. “If I would like to leave you with one thought it’s that the night is darkest just before the dawn, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“If we look at Japan, we should be very inspired and hope to rebuild our region to be like Japan,” he added.
Abbas also acknowledged the contributions of Arab News Japan’s regional head, Ali Itani, for his efforts in developing the news platform.
“The team and I are humbled to be recognized for our role in bringing Japan and the Arab world closer through direct communication,” Itani said.
