BBC Monitoring Analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC Monitoring on 4 July Amidst widespread rejoicing at the release of BBC reporter Alan Johnston early on 4 July, the two leading Palestinian political factions have sought to claim their share of credit for the outcome. Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip …
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Palestinian Hamas figure interviewed on BBC reporter’s release
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 4 July [Interview with Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the deposed Palestinian prime minister, via satellite from Gaza, by Hasan Jammul in the studio - live] [Jammul] Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the deposed Palestinian prime minister, joins us from Gaza …
Read More »Analysis: Iranian media outlets face further restrictions
BBC Monitoring By BBC Monitoring's Media Specialists on 4 July Another newspaper has been banned in Iran, the reformist Ham-Mihan; and at the same time, the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) has apparently shut down temporarily after its managing director Mas'ud Heydari submitted his resignation on 3 July. ILNA has …
Read More »Radical religious Al-Nas TV gains influence in Egypt
BBC Monitoring Analysis by Muhammad Shukri of BBC Monitoring on 26 June Al-Nas (The People) TV, an Arabic-language religious satellite TV channel which broadcasts 24 hours a day from the Media Production City in 6 October City in Egypt, has mesmerized Egyptian and Arab viewers generally. A few months after …
Read More »Sudanese politicians slam government move to ban reporting on disputed dam
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Sharjah newspaper Al-Khalij website on 26 June Political forces in Sudan have denounced a ban on reporting on the Kajbar dam in newspapers, describing it as an attempt by the government to hide the facts, thus making the Sudanese vulnerable to rumours in a …
Read More »Army of Islam: Johnston to be
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Palestinian Ramattan News Agency website, headlined: "In new statement, Army of Islam reiterates demand to free Sajidah, Abu-Qatadah, Al-Maqdisi in exchange for Johnston's release" - Ramattan headline] Gaza, 26 June: The Army of Islam reiterated its demand to free Sajidah al-Iraqiyah [sentenced to death …
Read More »Fatah and Hamas engage in internet video war
BBC Monitoring Analysis by Malik Mohamed al-Abdeh of BBC Monitoring on 20 June The struggle for power between Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas has spilled over to the internet, with a "video war" conducted using the popular video sharing website YouTube. As both groups have moved to disrupt each other's …
Read More »Pan-Arab TV coverage of Gaza events
BBC Monitoring Analysis by Amani Soliman of BBC Monitoring, The events in Gaza dominated the coverage of the pan-Arab satellite channels, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, between 11-16 June. On 11 June, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya were busy with the Shura Council elections in Egypt, which took up most of their air time. …
Read More »Arab League information ministers begin talks on peace initiative, media
BBC Monitoring Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA Cairo, 20 June: The 40th session of the Arab Information Ministers' Council began meetings under Lebanon's chairmanship here on Wednesday [20 June]. Information Minister Anas Fiqi is leading the Egyptian delegation. The ministers held a behind-closed-door session before …
Read More »Fatah broadcast outlets in Gaza silenced
BBC Monitoring Analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC Monitoring on 15 June After five days of intense fighting against their Fatah rivals, Hamas forces appeared to be in complete control over the Gaza Strip on 15 June. Hamas Prime Minister Isma'il Haniyah said he would ignore a decree from Palestinian …
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