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
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.
IMI media group rebrands with new name, logo and strategic shift
- Group CEO Rani R. Raad says rebranding is a ‘monumental milestone’
LONDON: The media group formerly known as International Media Investments has rebranded itself as “IMI” as part of an ongoing overhaul that includes a new logo and a refocused brand identity, the company announced on Tuesday.
The UAE-based company, which owns news outlets including Sky News Arabia, The National, Al-Ain News, and CNN Business Arabic, said the rebranding reflects its commitment to “connect people, enrich lives, and foster greater understanding.”
The media conglomerate, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, also operates IMI Studios and IMI Live, as well as an investment division, IMI Ventures.
IMI’s CEO Rani R. Raad, who is also president and operating partner of Redbird IMI, described the rebranding as a “monumental milestone” that aligns with its broader ambitions in media.
“It is not just about aesthetics; it embodies a forward-looking mindset as we prepare to move to our new state-of-the-art headquarters on Yas Island,” he said.
The media group said that its rebranding highlights the “power of connection,” aiming to reinforce IMI’s “commitment to creating content and telling stories that connect people, enrich lives, and foster greater understanding”.
The company added that the new logo encapsulates IMI’s expanding portfolio and more accurately reflects “IMI’s long-term goal of reshaping the media landscape to bridge gaps.”
IMI, which is associated with Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, has been in the headlines recently over its December 2023 acquisition of the UK’s Telegraph Group, including The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator.
However, the British government blocked the purchase, citing a law restricting media ownership by interests linked to foreign governments. IMI was subsequently required to divest the assets.
Moroccan court sentences journalist to 18 months in jail for defamation
- Hamid Mahdaoui was also fined $150,000 for allegedly defaming the justice minister
RABAT: Moroccan journalist Hamid Mahdaoui said he was sentenced on Monday to 18 months in prison on a charge of defamation against justice minister Abdellatif Ouahbi.
Mahdaoui, who is also editor-in-chief of news website Badil.info and an outspoken critic of government policies, was also fined 1.5 million dirhams ($150,000) by the court of first instance in Rabat.
Mahdaoui was sued after he accused Ouahbi of fraud, among other allegations, in a video on his website. Ouahbi has denied the accusations.
“I am innocent … I did not expect this prison sentence,” Mahdaoui told Reuters, adding that he was still undecided whether to appeal against the verdict to a higher court.
“I already presented all my arguments in my defense at court,” he said.
The justice minister was not immediately available for comment after the verdict.
Mahdaoui was sentenced under the penal code, instead of the press code which does not include jail terms, said Khadija Riadi of the Moroccan human rights group AMDH.
Mahdaoui was released in July 2020, after spending three years in jail on the charge of not reporting a crime against state security.
