LONDON: The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned the arrest of at least eight journalists and media workers by Russian authorities on fraud and extortion charges.
“Russian authorities should immediately release journalists and media workers recently arrested and ensure that the country’s judicial system is not used to silence critical voices,” the CPJ said in a statement on Tuesday.
Russian forces raided homes and carried out eight arrests between Aug. 1-16, according to sources.
Media outlets in the country confirmed that as of Tuesday at least seven journalists and Telegram media employees remained in custody.
Among them are Vladislav Malushenko, Yevgeny Moskvin and Aleksei Slobodenyuk, who run the Telegram channel Scanner.
According to Russian investigative outlet Agentstvo, the channel “is used to discredit those who disagree with the government” and has about 178,000 subscribers.
The three are accused of extorting money from Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate, in exchange for not publishing damaging information about the firm. Under Russian law, they face up to six years in jail if found guilty.
As part of efforts to control media coverage in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, news websites and social media have been subject to significant harassment by Moscow since the war began.
As a result, several independent media outlets in the country have shifted or stopped their operations entirely, and often rely on Telegram to share information, specifically news related to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Due to its lack of moderation and clear user guidelines, Telegram has also been used by pro-Russian operators to spread misinformation.
“The press freedom situation in Russia has only become more alarming since the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February,” said Carlos Martinez de la Serna, CPJ’s program director, in New York.
“Russian authorities are increasingly charging journalists with financial crimes in apparent retaliation for their investigation into business and political issues.
“The Russian judicial system must not be used to silence critical voices, and authorities must immediately release all the journalists and media workers who remain in custody and drop all charges against them,” he added.
Watchdog condemns arrest of journalists, media workers by Russian authorities
https://arab.news/4cxhx
Watchdog condemns arrest of journalists, media workers by Russian authorities
- Eight detained after raids on homes between Aug. 1-16, sources say
- News websites and social media have been subject to significant harassment by Moscow
Tortoise Media to relaunch Observer this weekend
- World’s oldest Sunday paper to become company’s flagship brand
- Observer will not be ‘another daily newspaper just on the seventh day of the week,’ says Tortoise founder James Harding
LONDON: Tortoise Media is set to publish its first edition of The Observer this weekend, following the formal completion of its acquisition of the 234-year-old Sunday newspaper from Guardian Media Group.
A dedicated Observer website will launch on Friday, with the first in-house print edition under Tortoise’s ownership hitting newsstands on Sunday. The relaunch also marks a return to print for Tortoise founder James Harding, who has formerly been editor of The Times, director of BBC News, and a journalist at the Financial Times.
“The world’s oldest Sunday paper is also going to be the newest. You’ll see the paper will change, but change gradually,” Harding told the Financial Times.
The Observer will become Tortoise Media’s flagship brand, while the Tortoise name will be retained as a sub-brand for long-form investigations and other digital content.
The historic Sunday paper, renowned for its investigative reporting, international coverage, and analysis, has long played a prominent role in covering major global events, including the Middle East. It took a bold editorial stance during the Suez Crisis, when then-editor David Astor criticized the British-French-Israeli invasion of Egypt. It also distinguished itself with coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iraq War — including early exposure of faulty intelligence on weapons of mass destruction — and British complicity in torture during the War on Terror.
The new Observer website will focus on “making sense of the headlines” rather than competing with rolling news outlets like the BBC or The Guardian, Tortoise’s digital editor Basia Cummings said in a recent interview.
“But news, culture and style are the main pillars of our newsroom,” Cummings added, noting that the publication would maintain its “investigative, internationalist” editorial identity, alongside staples such as the Observer New Review, Observer Magazine, and Observer Food Monthly.
The digital offering will include a daily email newsletter and, later this year, a slate of new podcasts. Events and festivals — part of Tortoise’s existing engagement model — are also planned.
The new website is an “initial version.” A full relaunch, including a mobile app and paywall, is expected in the coming months. Until then, content will be free to access as part of a first-party data strategy.
The relaunch comes as Tortoise looks to strengthen its position in the British and international media landscape. According to the Financial Times, British insurance tycoon Sir Clive Cowdery — founder of the Resolution Foundation and publisher of Prospect magazine — has agreed to join the Tortoise board and invest in the venture.
Although Tortoise has incurred financial losses of around £3 million, the company has pledged to invest £25 million into The Observer. Concerns about the financial stability of the loss-making startup have been raised by journalists at both titles, but new funds are expected from backers including South African businessman and Labour Party donor Gary Lubner, and Standard Investments, part of the US-based Standard Industries group.
As part of the deal, the Guardian Media Group’s owner, The Scott Trust, has taken a 9 percent stake in Tortoise, following a £5 million commitment.
“I don’t think that it makes sense for The Observer to be another daily newspaper, just on the seventh day of the week,” Harding said. “We’re not in the business of being a breaking news service; we want to understand what’s driving the news.”
Israeli Foreign Ministry backtracks on message of condolence over Pope Francis’ death
- Ministry ordered removal of post hours after it was published, citing ‘error’
- Move appears to be tied to outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, West Bank
LONDON: Israel’s Foreign Ministry has backtracked on a message of condolence shared on social media following the death of Pope Francis, deleting the post just hours after it was published.
The message, which appeared on the official X accounts of several Israeli embassies around the world, read: “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.” It was accompanied by an image of the pontiff at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site for Jewish people.
The Foreign Ministry later ordered the post to be taken down and instructed ambassadors not to sign books of condolence at Vatican missions worldwide, according to Israeli media reports.
The reversal reportedly sparked frustration among diplomats, especially in predominantly Catholic countries, and prompted internal criticism of the ministry’s leadership.
Raphael Schutz, Israel’s former ambassador to the Vatican, said: “I think the decision is a mistake. We shouldn’t keep score like this after someone’s death.”
Schutz and other diplomats argued that retracting condolences risked damaging Israel’s image among the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.
While the Foreign Ministry said the original post was published “in error,” the decision to remove it appears tied to Pope Francis’ recent criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The pope, who died on Monday aged 88 after suffering a stroke and heart failure, had emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
I send my deepest condolences to the Christian world and especially the Christian communities in Israel - the Holy Land - on the loss of their great spiritual father, His Holiness Pope Francis. A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) April 21, 2025
In his final Easter message he had repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and described the humanitarian situation there as “dramatic and deplorable.”
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that the late pope “was very close to the community of Gaza, the parish of Gaza.”
Pope Francis said of Israel’s actions in Gaza in November 2023: “This is not war; this is terrorism.” His remark drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials and media, including an editorial in The Jerusalem Post accusing him of offering “unconditional support for Hamas.”
Aside from a message of condolence from President Isaac Herzog, who expressed the hope that the pope’s memory would “inspire acts of kindness and hope for humanity,” Israeli leaders have remained largely silent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar did not issue any public statement or social media posts.
The decision not to engage was met with criticism from Israeli commentators and members of the public, who argued that it did not reflect the views of most Israelis.
Political and religious leaders from across the world have expressed their condolences. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent official messages mourning the death of the head of the Vatican City State.
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, will be laid to rest in Rome on Saturday. Leaders from across the world, including the Arab region, are expected to attend. It remains unclear whether Israel will send an official delegation.
SRMG Media Solutions, Veyron ink deal to drive regional ad growth
- The partnership allows Veyron Marketing’s clients to tap into SMS’s advertising offerings
- Agreement is underpinned by a shared vision to advance the region’s marketing ecosystem, companies say
RIYADH: SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Veyron Marketing, a leading media buying and marketing agency in Saudi Arabia and a subsidiary of Naif Alrajhi Investment. This strategic alignment aims to elevate the regional media and marketing landscape by enabling Veyron Marketing’s clients to access SMS’s dynamic portfolio of advertising solutions, including innovative digital formats, branded content, and experiential advertising.
As a next-generation, data-driven media solutions company, SMS delivers innovative, results-focused advertising strategies. By utilizing proprietary first-party data, advanced AdTech solutions and AI-driven audience segmentation, SMS creates personalized campaigns that drive growth, innovation and profitability. As the exclusive media partner for SRMG’s prestigious brands, SMS manages a distinguished media portfolio that includes Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Al Eqtisadiah, Akhbaar24, Arab News, Hia, Sayidaty, Billboard Arabia, Manga Arabia and thmanyah. With a global reach of more than 170 million users, SMS delivers engaging content across a diverse range of platforms, including digital and social media, websites, apps, newsletters, TV, audio channels, podcasts, print, and experiential IPs.
Veyron Marketing has built a strong reputation for its innovative marketing strategies and expertise in media planning and buying. This MoU comes at a pivotal time as both SMS and Veyron continue their growth trajectories. Through this partnership, SMS will extend its footprint into traditional media formats, a key strength of Veyron’s offering, enabling more holistic, 360-degree media solutions for brands and advertisers.
The agreement is underpinned by a shared vision to advance the region’s marketing ecosystem by fostering innovation, expanding digital capabilities, and unlocking new commercial opportunities. Both SMS and Veyron bring a deep understanding of the Saudi market, complemented by extensive global reach, positioning them to drive long-term value for advertisers.
Ziad Moussa, Managing Director of SMS, stated: “This MoU represents a significant step forward in our mission to transform the media and marketing landscape. By combining our respective strengths—Veyron’s local expertise and our global reach—we are poised to deliver integrated, high-impact campaigns that drive growth and innovation across the Kingdom and the region.”
Mohammed Al Esmail, Managing Director at Veyron Marketing, added: “Our alignment with SMS opens up powerful new opportunities for our clients. By integrating our traditional media strength with SMS’s advanced digital and content capabilities, we are enabling advertisers to connect with audiences through more meaningful, data-driven, and multi-platform strategies.”
With this strategic MoU, SMS reinforces its commitment to redefining media and advertising in the MENA region and beyond. To learn more about how SMS can transform your advertising strategy, visit https://srmgms.com or contact partner@srmgms.com.
YouTube marks 20 years with spotlight on MENA creator economy
- Platform reveals that Saudi-based channels earning 7 figures or more increased by 40 percent year over year, with total reach of 20 million adults
- YouTube says it remains committed to the region and its content creators as it enters third decade
LONDON: YouTube has released new data highlighting the rapid growth of the content creator economy in the Middle East and North Africa, as the platform marks its 20th anniversary.
The data, published on Wednesday, shows a year-on-year increase in the number of channels earning seven figures or more in revenue in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt.
“As YouTube turns 20, we celebrate the phenomenal work of creators across MENA and their role in driving the region’s popular culture,” Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube in MENA, said.
“These creative entrepreneurs skillfully leveraged YouTube’s diverse formats to share their voices and also build thriving businesses that reach global audiences. We’re proud to be able to support them in their journey and can’t wait to see what the next 20 years holds.”
YouTube was launched in 2005, with the first video — “Me at the Zoo” featuring co-founder Jawed Karim — uploaded on April 23 of that year. Since then, the platform has hosted an estimated 14 billion videos, according to a January report from the University of Massachusetts.
Beyond sheer volume, YouTube has grown into a global hub for culture, learning, and entertainment. The platform now shares revenue with over 3 million creators, artists, and media partners worldwide, including more than half a million who started their channels over a decade ago.
In the MENA region, YouTube’s reach continues to expand. As of May 2024, the platform reached 20 million people aged over 18 in Saudi Arabia, 7.5 million in the UAE, and over 1.7 million people aged 25–54 in Qatar.
According to YouTube’s latest figures, as of December 2024, the number of channels earning seven figures or more in the Kingdom increased by 40 percent year over year.
Egypt also saw a 60 percent increase in channels reaching seven-figure annual revenues, while the UAE experienced a 15 percent growth during the same time period, reflecting YouTube’s support for its partners and contributions to the creator economy.
Globally, YouTube has paid out $70 billion to creators, artists, and media companies over the past three years.
The data also underscores the international appeal of MENA creators. Over 95 percent of watch time for channels based in the UAE comes from outside the country, alongside more than 60 percent for Egyptian channels.
YouTube introduced its Arabic-language interface in 2010 to broaden access across the region, and in 2012 launched the YouTube Partner Program in MENA, allowing creators to monetize their content.
Over the years, the platform has amplified a wide range of regional voices — from Saudi satirical shows such as “Noon Al-Niswa” by Hatoon Kadi and the animated series “Masameer,” to Egypt’s Mohamed Abdelhafez, whose agriculture-focused channel has racked up over 100 million views.
Some of MENA’s most memorable YouTube moments include Queen Rania of Jordan receiving the YouTube Visionary Award, the Harlem Shake at the Pyramids of Egypt, AboFlah’s record-breaking fundraiser for refugees, and Thamanyah’s Guinness World Record podcast episode on relationships.
As it enters its third decade, YouTube said it will continue to invest in supporting the region’s content creators — key players in the fast-growing MENA creator economy.
SABCO Media names Omar Othman new chief executive officer
- Omani media group says appointment part of strategic shift toward regional expansion
LONDON: SABCO Media, one of Oman’s leading media groups, has appointed Omar Othman as its new chief executive officer.
The group — which includes SABCO Art, SABCO Media and SABCO Press — operates across radio broadcasting, digital media, TV production and outdoor advertising. It described the appointment as a “key milestone” in its strategic expansion as it enters “a new phase of innovation and growth.”
Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, chairman of SABCO Media, said that Othman’s “diverse expertise across media and advertising industries positions us to embark on a new chapter — one that elevates our products and services to new heights, in line with the rapid evolution of the sector.”
“We are confident this will further enrich the media and advertising landscape in Oman and the wider region,” he added.
Omar Othman brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in media, digital transformation and strategic partnerships. He has held senior roles at prominent regional media organizations including Al Aan TV, OSN and MBC Group. Throughout his career, Othman has played a pivotal role in content development, digital expansion, and establishing impactful commercial partnerships across television, digital streaming platforms and integrated media services.
Othman said: “I am excited to join SABCO Media at such a pivotal moment in its journey. With its rich legacy and dynamic team, we are poised to reshape storytelling, brand-building and audience engagement in the region. I look forward to leveraging my regional experience in partnerships and business growth to support the group’s ambitious expansion strategy.”
His appointment signals a strategic shift as SABCO Media aims to play a leading role in the Middle East’s evolving media landscape. The company is part of SABCO Group, established in 1977, with investments spanning real estate, perfumes, sports, media and other industries.
