Latest news with #Qatari-based
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shock media closure deals new blow to press freedom in Balkans
Nearly 14 years after presenting the first newscast of Al Jazeera Balkans , Sasa Delic, like his 250 colleagues, learned of the channel's closure in a shock announcement. The Bosnian journalist inaugurated the new network on November 11, 2011, telling viewers: "You are watching the first news channel in the region," and promising them "accurate, verified and impartial" information. But on July 10, management suddenly announced the Qatari-based channel's regional branch was closing, the latest in a wave of closures and downsizing to hit the Balkans' strained media industry. "I had no idea," Delic, 47, told AFP. "It was sudden, but you have to adapt. It's the owner's decision." Two days later, his colleague Dalija Hasanbegovic gave the channel's farewell sign-off: "That was the final Al Jazeera Balkans newscast. "We always tried to be the voice of those who didn't have one, an island of truth." - 'Silencing the last voices' - Claiming more than 22 million viewers, "AJB" broadcast across most of the Balkans, with studios in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Zagreb. "We never adhered to anyone's political agenda," said Delic, who added he fears the closure will hurt strained media freedoms in the region. "A beacon of free journalism in the Balkans goes dark," said philosopher and journalist Dragan Bursac in his final column published on the Al Jazeera Balkans website. Al Jazeera Balkans' executive director and one of its founders, Edhem Foco, told AFP the closure was a consequence of a "strategy shift" at the parent channel, which is investing in developing its online platform Al Jazeera 360. The loss will be felt mostly at the broadcaster's Sarajevo hub, where nearly 200 employees worked, according to Foco. "It is a warning: independent journalism in the region is increasingly under threat," said the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), a coalition of journalist associations and unions in the Balkans. For Maja Sever, director of the European Federation of Journalists, "we are witnessing the silencing of the last voices that embodied professional and quality journalism". The network's shuttering comes after the United States cut funding to a slew of foreign-based media outlets, part of President Donald Trump's budget cuts -- including to news outlets he deems hostile to his agenda. Voice of America's Serbian office closed in March after 82 years, and the future of the regional newsrooms of Radio Free Europe remains unclear. Many other independent outlets that relied on US government funding have also closed or are struggling around the world. "The damage is very significant, profound," Sever said. - Independent media disappearing - Balkan countries rate poorly in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, created by watchdog group Reporters Without Borders . Out of 180 countries, Bosnia ranks 86th and Serbia 96th. The report also noted that Serbian media "bear the brunt of attempts by the authorities to quell" large-scale anti-government protests that have rocked the country for months. At least 28 media professionals had been assaulted by police or supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic since February, it said. Independent media in the Balkans are increasingly rare, and some, like the N1 channel, are not distributed by public or government-affiliated cable operators. As these outlets shrink, many journalists will leave the profession, Sever warned. "Those who ask questions are leaving, those who think independently are leaving. Who, then, will ask a question to a prime minister or a president at a press conference? Algorithms? Artificial intelligence?" she said.
France 24
4 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Shock media closure deals new blow to press freedom in Balkans
The Bosnian journalist inaugurated the new network on November 11, 2011, telling viewers: "You are watching the first news channel in the region," and promising them "accurate, verified and impartial" information. But on July 10, management suddenly announced the Qatari-based channel's regional branch was closing, the latest in a wave of closures and downsizing to hit the Balkans' strained media industry. "I had no idea," Delic, 47, told AFP. "It was sudden, but you have to adapt. It's the owner's decision." Two days later, his colleague Dalija Hasanbegovic gave the channel's farewell sign-off: "That was the final Al Jazeera Balkans newscast. "We always tried to be the voice of those who didn't have one, an island of truth." 'Silencing the last voices' Claiming more than 22 million viewers, "AJB" broadcast across most of the Balkans, with studios in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Zagreb. "We never adhered to anyone's political agenda," said Delic, who added he fears the closure will hurt strained media freedoms in the region. "A beacon of free journalism in the Balkans goes dark," said philosopher and journalist Dragan Bursac in his final column published on the Al Jazeera Balkans website. Al Jazeera Balkans' executive director and one of its founders, Edhem Foco, told AFP the closure was a consequence of a "strategy shift" at the parent channel, which is investing in developing its online platform Al Jazeera 360. The loss will be felt mostly at the broadcaster's Sarajevo hub, where nearly 200 employees worked, according to Foco. "It is a warning: independent journalism in the region is increasingly under threat," said the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), a coalition of journalist associations and unions in the Balkans. For Maja Sever, director of the European Federation of Journalists, "we are witnessing the silencing of the last voices that embodied professional and quality journalism". The network's shuttering comes after the United States cut funding to a slew of foreign-based media outlets, part of President Donald Trump's budget cuts -- including to news outlets he deems hostile to his agenda. Voice of America's Serbian office closed in March after 82 years, and the future of the regional newsrooms of Radio Free Europe remains unclear. Many other independent outlets that relied on US government funding have also closed or are struggling around the world. "The damage is very significant, profound," Sever said. Independent media disappearing Balkan countries rate poorly in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, created by watchdog group Reporters Without Borders. Out of 180 countries, Bosnia ranks 86th and Serbia 96th. The report also noted that Serbian media "bear the brunt of attempts by the authorities to quell" large-scale anti-government protests that have rocked the country for months. At least 28 media professionals had been assaulted by police or supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic since February, it said. Independent media in the Balkans are increasingly rare, and some, like the N1 channel, are not distributed by public or government-affiliated cable operators. As these outlets shrink, many journalists will leave the profession, Sever warned. "Those who ask questions are leaving, those who think independently are leaving. Who, then, will ask a question to a prime minister or a president at a press conference? Algorithms? Artificial intelligence?" she said.
Roya News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Syrian security forces prepare to re-enter Sweida to quell clashes: Syria TV
Syrian internal security forces are preparing to enter the southern city of Sweida to quell the escalating clashes, Qatari-based Syria TV reported Friday. This move follows an assault launched by tribes on the western areas of the Sweida. Local sources indicated that these forces have seized control of positions in the western Sweida countryside and advanced toward the city's entrance. The sources stated the attack was a response to alleged "killings" committed against members of Bedouin tribes by Druze fighters that had previously entered those areas.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran's Commanders Send Warning to U.S.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Senior Iranian commanders warned the United States and Israel of a "more crushing" response if they renew attacks on the country, according to Iranian media. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for comment. Why It Matters Diplomacy has stalled with Iran threatening to ramp up its nuclear program, increasing the risks for the collapse of a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel and threatening a broader military escalation in which the U.S. could become directly involved. Iran could also escalate attacks on American targets in Middle East ally countries, as it did with the Qatari-based Al-Udeid base, following the bombing of its key nuclear facilities. A man holds a picture of Iran's late head of the Revolutionary Guard's ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh during the funeral ceremony of him, some other Iranian armed forces generals, nuclear scientists and... A man holds a picture of Iran's late head of the Revolutionary Guard's ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh during the funeral ceremony of him, some other Iranian armed forces generals, nuclear scientists and their family members, who were killed in a 12-day war with Israel, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 28, 2025. More Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Armed Forces issued warnings against new attacks. IRGC Spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini on Wednesday said Iran will have a "far more crushing, destructive, and unprecedented" response than retaliatory operations against the U.S. and Israel in June, according to Fars News Agency. Following Israeli strikes on nuclear, military and residential infrastructure launched in mid-June, Iran launched barrages of missiles that struck Israeli territory. The 12-day conflict killed at least 28 people in Israel and 935 in Iran, according to authorities in each country. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi made the same warning against both countries, referred to as "enemies," the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. A dispute over uranium enrichment levels is shadowing future nuclear talks and more lasting peace negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says his country is open for diplomacy if the U.S. promises not to renew attacks, but Iran has said it is determined to pursue uranium enrichment while the United States says it will not allow it. Uranium enrichment can lead to nuclear weapons, but Iran says that is not its goal. What People Are Saying Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran's Army Chief of Staff, as quoted by IRNA: "In the event of any evil act from the enemies, our response will be more crushing than before." Joint Statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers on Tuesday: "We reaffirm that the Islamic Republic of Iran can never have nuclear weapons, and urge Iran to refrain from reconstituting its unjustified enrichment activities. We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran's nuclear program." What Happens Next President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu will discuss Iran during a meeting next week at The White House. Depending on how diplomacy evolves in the meantime, that could also be a step towards further conflict.
Roya News
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
'Israeli' forces raid Al Jazeera office in Ramallah, renew 60-day closure order
Israeli Occupation Forces raided Al Jazeera's office in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Friday and renewed its closure for another 60 days, according to Al Jazeera. This marks the latest escalation in a series of measures aimed at silencing the Qatari-based network's coverage in the occupied Palestinian territories. The renewed closure comes after a similar 60-day extension in April. The office was first shut down in September 2023 under a military order, during which 'Israeli' forces stormed the premises, confiscated all equipment and documents, and banned staff from using their vehicles. In May 2024, the 'Israeli' government formally approved a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to shut down Al Jazeera's offices inside 'Israel'. The decision was implemented immediately under what was dubbed the 'Al Jazeera Law,' allowing 'Israeli' authorities to block the network's broadcasts and operations within the country.
