tag

An organisation representing international media outlets in Israel and the Palestinian territories said Wednesday it hoped Israel's Supreme Court would approve its petition demanding immediate access for journalists to Gaza.On Thursday, Israel's Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition filed by the Foreign Press Association (FPA) seeking access to Gaza.Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, Israeli authorities have prevented foreign journalists from entering the devastated territory, taking only a handful of reporters inside on tightly controlled visits alongside its troops."For over two years, Israel has blocked foreign reporters from going into the territory, greatly hindering the media's ability to cover this devastating conflict," the FPA said in a statement ahead of Thursday's hearing, scheduled for 09:00 am (0600 GMT)."We are pleased to finally have our day in court and hope the justices will swiftly approve our request to enter Gaza," Tania Kraemer, chairperson of the FPA, said in the statement."It is high time for Israel to lift the closure and let us do our work alongside our Palestinian colleagues."The Foreign Press Association began petitioning for independent access to Gaza soon after the war broke out in October 2023 following Hamas' unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel.The FPA, which represents hundreds of foreign journalists, has on multiple occasions asked for access to Gaza over the past two years.But these demands have been repeatedly ignored by Israeli authorities.An AFP journalist sits on the FPA's board of directors.Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has joined the petition filed by the FPA.While Israel has prevented foreign reporters entering Gaza, its forces have killed more than 210 Palestinian journalists in the territory, Antoine Bernard, RSF's director for advocacy and assistance, said on Tuesday."The result is an unprecedented violation of press freedom and the public's right to reliable, independent, and pluralistic media reporting," Bernard said."The Supreme Court has the opportunity to finally uphold basic democratic principles in the face of widespread propaganda, disinformation, and censorship, and to end two years of meticulous and unrestrained destruction of journalism in and about Gaza."No excuse, no restriction can justify not opening Gaza to international, Israeli and Palestinian media," he said.On October 10, Israel declared a ceasefire and started pulling back troops from some areas of the territory, as part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war.jd/dc/adp

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Media Corporation, met with Dr. Hamza Al-Mustafa, Syrian Minister of Information, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Media Corporation. During the meeting, which was held at the headquarters of Qatar Media Corporation, both sides discussed ways to enhance media cooperation between the two brotherly countries. The two parties expressed their mutual interest in strengthening cooperation and exchanging media expertise and experiences.

beIN Media Group (beIN), one of the leading sports and entertainment media networks in the world, has announced a strategic partnership with Rafeeq, one of Qatar’s leading delivery and e-commerce platforms. The collaboration aims to provide customers with a fast, seamless, and convenient way to access beIN’s world-class sports and entertainment content.Through the partnership, Rafeeq users can now purchase beIN receivers directly through the Rafeeq app, with delivery straight to their doorstep. Once received, customers can simply call 133 to activate their preferred beIN package and instantly enjoy a world of premium entertainment, from Hollywood blockbusters to the most anticipated live sports, including top European football leagues, Formula 1, the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as major tennis and basketball tournaments and more.To mark the occasion, a signing ceremony was held at beIN’s MENA Headquarters in Doha. The event was attended by Hamad Aljaber, Manager of Consumer Sales at beIN, and Ahmed Abdulla, Media Manager at Rafeeq, who officially signed the agreement, along with senior managers from both organisations.Commenting on the partnership, Hamad Aljaber, Manager of Consumer Sales at beIN, said: “We are delighted to partner with Rafeeq, a trusted and fast-growing Qatari brand. This collaboration enhances accessibility for our customers, allowing them to experience beIN’s premium content more easily than ever through Rafeeq’s reliable and innovative delivery ecosystem.”Ahmed Abdulla, Media Manager at Rafeeq, added: At Rafeeq, we are proud to partner with beIN, one of the most recognised media networks in the world. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding the range of essential and lifestyle services available through the Rafeeq app. By offering beIN receivers directly to our customers, we’re making premium sports and entertainment content more accessible than ever to households across Qatar — all through the convenience of Rafeeq’s trusted delivery ecosystem.”As part of the agreement, beIN and Rafeeq will also collaborate on exclusive offers and promotional campaigns designed to reward customers and enhance their viewing experience.To learn more and purchase the beIN receiver, the Rafeeq app, available on iOS and Android, may be downloaded.

His Excellency Director-General of Qatar News Agency (QNA) Ahmed bin Saeed Al Rumaihi met on Wednesday with the Ambassador of the Republic of Gambia to the State of Qatar, Foday Malang. During the meeting, they discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries in the media field.

Qatar News Agency (QNA) launched today a specialized training course on website content management and analysis. The course is part of a series of training programs offered by the QNA Training Center, with the aim of developing media competencies and enhancing the skills of digital professionals. The three-day course will be presented by media expert at QNA, Siraj Munir, with the participation of a number of QNA staff, in addition to employees from various media institutions and government agencies. The course aims to enhance participants' skills in digital content management and develop electronic publishing mechanisms in line with modern professional standards. It also introduces participants to best practices in writing digital content, improving user experience, and enhancing websites' visibility in search engines. It also aims to introduce participants to best practices in writing digital content, improve user experience, and enhance websites' visibility in search engines. The course covers several key topics, most notably: digital content production strategies, content organization and updates to ensure an effective user experience, content management tools and their uses, search engine optimization standards, and mechanisms for writing and editing content for various online platforms. The course also highlights the importance of engaging with audiences through digital content and measuring content performance using digital analytics tools to ensure the effectiveness of media messages and achieve the organization's communication goals. This course is part of QNA's ongoing efforts to equip its staff with the latest developments in digital media. This is achieved through specialized training programs held in the state-of-the-art QNA Training Halls, which were launched in March 2023 and are equipped with the latest technology. They serve as an integrated platform for building media capabilities in accordance with the highest international standards.

An international conference on the protection of journalists in armed conflict zones began in Doha Wednesday.The conference is organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and Al Jazeera Public Liberties and Human Rights Centre (PLHRC) at Al Jazeera Media Network and in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.Inaugurated by HE NHRC Chairperson Maryam bint Abdullah al-Attiyah, the conference will discuss ways to enhance the protection of journalists and ensure their safety while covering conflicts, and to address the issue of impunity for crimes committed against them, with the participation of international officials, experts, and media professionals.In this context, HE al-Attiyah said that organizing this conference comes within the context of the NHRC closely monitoring the conditions of journalists in areas of armed conflict, in addition to its keenness to follow up on the implementation of the outcomes of the previous conferences, especially the recommendations of the first Doha Declaration, issued by the international conference for the protection of journalists in dangerous situation, held in January 2012.In her opening remarks, she added that while the NHRC is proud to note the reference to this declaration in numerous Human Rights Council resolutions, and welcomed the interpretation of a number of its recommendations into practical action, including the establishment of a unit dedicated to the safety of journalists within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the NHRC renews its determination through this conference to move forward in enhancing protection and establishing a safe and enabling environment for journalists.HE al-Attiyah emphasized that it is no longer acceptable to limit oneself to mere condemnation. The widening scope of crimes and serious violations against journalists points to the urgent need for broad action involving governments, national human rights institutions, and all stakeholders, along with UN agencies, to activate the rules of international law and implement comprehensive reforms to protection mechanisms. She said that the NHRC declares its commitment to following up on the implementation of the outcomes of this conference, in cooperation with various partners. The issue of protecting journalists will remain a top priority, in support of the truth and redress for victims.HE Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal al-Thani said that while the blood of Al Jazeera journalists in the Gaza Strip has not yet dried in defence of the truth, the profession of journalism is facing tests that threaten its very existence and its humanitarian role.He added that Al Jazeera Media Network has made the protection and safety of its journalists a firm priority, developing specialized training programs for its crews working in conflict zones and ensuring the highest standards of professional safety. However, its correspondents have been targeted simply for carrying out their duties. The number of Al Jazeera martyrs has reached 22 so far, 10 of whom were killed during the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza.Addressing the International Conference on the Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflicts, HE Sheikh Nasser stressed that Al Jazeera Media Network calls for unifying initiatives and strengthening solidarity among media institutions, human rights organizations, and nations to halt the killing of journalists and end the policy of impunity for their murderers.Sheikh Nasser highlighted that Al Jazeera has been driving this cause forward for years, with a key milestone being the launch of the Doha Declaration on the Protection of Journalists in 2016, a document that received the endorsement of the Human Rights Council and Unesco and stands as the first international document propelled by a media institution for adoption within UN frameworks.Unesco Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Dr. Tawfik Jelassi stated in a recorded broadcast during the opening session that free and independent media are an essential pillar of democracy, yet it is equally crucial to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers while performing their vital role.Journalists around the globe encounter threats, harassment, and censorship, and often lethal violence, while female journalists remain particularly vulnerable to harassment, both online and offline, Dr. Jelassi highlighted.Dr Jelassi emphasised that protecting journalists in conflict zones remains a top priority for Unesco, averring that Unesco has repeatedly condemned the killing of journalists in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and other conflict zones, and affirms that journalists are civilians who must be protected under Security Council Resolution 2222.In a recorded intervention, Commissioner at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo emphasized that journalist protection is central to the African Commission's work, which closely monitors violations against journalists across Africa.The opening session concluded with a moment of silence honouring journalists who lost their lives in conflict zones worldwide, followed by the inauguration of a photo exhibition showcasing journalists' equipment and images of those martyred in Gaza and Iraq.

Qatar Media Corporation, represented by Qatar Television, won two prestigious Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) awards for the exchange of TV content and programmes. This came during the 23rd meeting of ASBU’s Standing TV programmes committee, which began in Tunisia Tuesday and will end Thursday.Qatar TV secured 3rd place in the comprehensive TV content exchange award category and won 2nd place in the TV programme exchange award category, in recognition of programme quality and active participation in the media content exchange framework.These awards represents a milestone for Qatar Media Corp and Qatar TV in terms of supporting Arab TV production, enhancing co-operation among media outlets in the Arab world, and delivering media content that cultivates cultural taste and keeps pace with professional development in Qatari media, thus, affirming Qatar’s leading role in advancing the Arab media scene.

His Excellency Chairperson of Qatar Media Corporation Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al-Thani met on Monday with the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Qatar, Walid Fahmy Al Faqi. The two sides discussed media relations between the two countries and explored ways to support and develop them.

Qatar's International Media Office has debunked claims that Qatar attempted to cultivate a relationship with Steve Witkoff through a lobbying programme, years in advance of his appointment to public office, including his later role as Middle East envoy.The International Media Office (IMO), in a statement said these claims are entirely false and so lacking in credibility that they can only be described as absurd.In response to false accusations carried by The New York Times, IMO said Qatari investment entities, both state and private, have maintained business relationships with Witkoff for many years, long before President Trump was elected."These accusations come from questionable sources and are intended to target Qatar and Witkoff as part of a coordinated effort to sow tension and division between Qatar and the United States, while undermining efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza. They serve the interests of bad actors who oppose the work our two countries are doing to advance international peace and stability."The New York Times chose to disregard key facts shared with them in order to manufacture a story - for example, that the hotel in question was not owned by Witkoff or his companies at the time of purchase."The IMO said Qatar always interacts with the United States government at an institutional level. "Our relations are built on decades of department-to-department co-operation across a range of shared interests, including diplomacy, security and economic partnership."Qatar's investment decisions are kept entirely separate from diplomacy. Strict governance ensures that one does not influence the other." The IMO said Qatar's investments in the United States are based strictly on long-term economic and financial criteria. "In cases where business and diplomatic interests overlap, safeguards are introduced to prevent any conflict of interest."

Major international media outlets, including BBC, CNN, and Sputnik, have highlighted His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s powerful speech at the UN General Assembly. His Highness The Amir addressed regional conflicts, condemned violations of Qatar’s sovereignty, and reaffirmed Qatar’s role in promoting peace and diplomacy. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) BBC website quoted His Highness the Amir as saying that Israeli Prime Minister seeks to turn the Arab region into an Israeli sphere of influence. The website quoted His Highness the Amir saying that Doha was subjected to “a grave violation of a state’s sovereignty and a blatant breach of international norms, and a heinous act which we branded as state terrorism.” US News Network (CNN) The Network highlighted His Highness the Amir’s remarks that “The fallback of this international order in favor of the logic of power means paving the way for the law of the jungle to prevail.” CNN aired video clips from His Highness the Amir’s speech, in which His Highness the Amir emphasized that “They visit our country while planning to bomb it.” Russian news agency (Sputnik) The news agency quoted His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as saying: “Doha came under a treacherous attack targeting a meeting of the Hamas negotiating delegation at the residence of one of its members in a residential neighborhood hosting schools and diplomatic missions.” Sputnik also focused on His Highness the Amir’s statement that the Israeli attack constitutes an assault on a mediating, peace-making state whose diplomacy has been devoted to resolving conflicts through peaceful means.

The visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Wednesday drew remarkable attention from various Jordanian media outlets, with extensive coverage of the visit featured on their pages, in their bulletins, and during their programs. Considered a strategic milestone, the visit affirms the strength of relations between the two countries and opens new horizons for bilateral cooperation in light of current regional developments. The Jordanian broadcast media closely followed the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the capital, Amman. They broadcast live the official reception ceremony upon His Highness's arrival at Marka Airport, where King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein welcomed him. The media emphasized the strategic importance of this visit, given that it comes after the Israeli attack on Doha. Jordan TV, Al Mamlaka TV, and Roya TV devoted extensive coverage to the welcome ceremonies and official meetings between the leaders of the two countries, and hosted numerous analysts in news bulletins and talk shows to discuss the visit and its anticipated outcomes. A Jordan TV report stated that Qatari-Jordanian relations have, for decades, been built on mutual trust and a shared vision. It added that on the political front, Jordan and Qatar have stood side by side on all issues facing the nation. From the Palestinian cause to supporting stability in the region, Amman and Doha have been united in their calls for a just peace, rejecting aggression and occupation, and affirming that Arab rights are not subject to lapse over time. In regional crises, the two countries have also played the role of wise mediators seeking solutions that preserve bloodshed and safeguard the stability of peoples. The report noted that this partnership extended beyond the realms of economics and politics to include cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The two countries supported educational initiatives and charitable projects, and jointly pursued plans that place people at the heart of development.It concluded that after decades of joint work, it can be said that Jordanian-Qatari relations have become a model to be emulated in the Arab world, a model based on mutual trust, a sincere desire to serve people, and a deep commitment to the values of Arab solidarity. In an interview with Jordan TV, former Jordanian Ambassador Ziad Al Majali emphasized the importance of relations with Qatar and stressed that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Kingdom is an opportunity to build new inter-Arab relations. Al Majali said that the Jordanian King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar see the current circumstances as a favorable opportunity to build new Arab relations, which Jordan has been working to establish for some time. He emphasized that the visit supports this goal despite the current political and security dimensions. Al Mamlaka TV reported that at the political level, the visit is of great importance at a sensitive time, as the region is witnessing rapid developments. It comes just two days after the Arab and Islamic summit held to discuss the Israeli attack on Qatar, and just days before King Abdullah II's participation in the UN General Assembly. For his part, Editor-in-Chief of Al Ghad newspaper Makram Al Tarawneh told Al Mamlaka TV that the timing of the visit, coming after the Arab and Islamic summit that was convened following the Israeli attack on Qatar, is extremely significant, as it reflects the extent of coordination between the Jordanian and Qatari sides during the complex circumstances facing the region.Al Tarawneh said economic issues were inevitably present in the discussions between the two sides, but political issues overshadowed those discussions, as they sought to coordinate common positions between Qatar and Jordan on how to support the Palestinian cause and confront Israel.In turn, Awni Al Daoud, an economic writer and analyst, praised the strength of economic and trade relations between Jordan and Qatar, stressing that Qatari investments in Jordan are distinguished in both quantity and quality.He said that economic and trade relations between the two countries have witnessed increasing growth rates in recent years. Therefore, the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will pave the way for a new phase of economic relations between the two countries.He added that economic and trade relations reflect the depth of relations between countries. This was reflected in the volume of Qatari investments in Jordan, which has reached more than 4.5 billion Jordanian dinars in various sectors, including education, health, tourism, energy, electricity, and financial markets. Trade exchange between the two countries also increased by 5.6 percent in 2024 compared to previous levels.He pointed out that among the most significant leaps in economic relations between the two countries is that Qatari assistance to Jordan amounting to $500 million, directed toward specific development investments, and Qatar's pledge to employ thousands of Jordanians.He added that the private sector in the two countries is very active at the level of chambers of commerce and industry and relations between businessmen, pointing out that there are 50 direct Qatari investments in the real estate sector, and Qatari investments in the Amman Stock Exchange, representing approximately 2.5 percent of the stock exchange's total market capitalization. Meanwhile, exports from Jordan to Qatar during the past six months alone reached 58 million Jordanian dinars, while imports amounted to approximately 60 million Jordanian dinars.

Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council has welcomed a delegation from Media City Qatar to its headquarters for a strategic engagement session bringing together Media City Qatar’s group of licensed companies and stakeholders alongside representatives from local large enterprises (LLEs), universities, and research institutions.The visit aims to provide an overview of QRDI Council’s national innovation priorities, encourage collaboration opportunities, and build connections across Qatar’s RDI ecosystem.Bader al-Saai, Director of Strategic Partnerships at QRDI Council, said: “As we advance Qatar’s innovation agenda, strategic dialogues like this are key to unlocking new value across emerging sectors.“Engaging with Media City Qatar and its partners allows us to surface shared ambitions, identify opportunities, and encourage the kind of cross-sector partnerships that accelerate national progress. At QRDI Council, our focus remains on enabling systems that turn ideas into impact, and positioning Qatar at the forefront of global innovation.”Thair Khaled al-Anani, Director of Business Development at Media City Qatar, added: “Media City Qatar is home to over 250 companies, including a significant number of startups, working alongside leading local and international media organisations. At its core, Media City Qatar prioritises supporting these companies by providing a comprehensive work environment, stimulating opportunities, and fostering productive and thriving partnerships.“The ability to keep up with cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches remains a significant challenge for startups, as they seek to produce high-quality, impactful content that reinforces Qatar's position as a regional and global hub for the media industry. In this context, our partnership with QRDI Council, which leads efforts to organise and develop the research and innovation ecosystem in the country, comes as a fundamental step towards empowering media startups and SMEs. This partnership focuses on launching targeted programs that offer technical and financial support to pioneering media projects, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030."The agenda featured opening remarks by al-Saai and al-Anani, followed by a presentation on QRDI Council’s strategy and priority innovation clusters. QRDI Council’s Open Innovation team presented key funding and piloting opportunities, along with details on eligibility and application processes.A panel discussion on open innovation and agentic AI brought together voices from across the media sector, featuring Mohammad Ali Abbaspour, Founder and CEO of Sponix Tech; Ashrith Makam, Digital Director at WPP Media; and Ali Abbas, Founder and CEO of Arigatou. The day concluded with a networking session designed to encourage meaningful dialogue between Media City Qatar stakeholders and Qatar’s broader research and innovation community.This visit is an example of QRDI Council’s commitment to creating an interconnected RDI ecosystem in Qatar. By facilitating knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration, QRDI Council continues to advance its strategic goal of positioning Qatar as a global hub for research, development, and innovation, driving national impact through partnerships that accelerate discovery, commercialisation, and technological progress.