Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Mohamed freed in Somalia
Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Mohamed, a British national, has been released from detention by Somali security agents in the capital Mogadishu. He had been in Somalia for a week on a reporting assignment and was initially detained on October 18.
AL JAZEERA

Hungarian paper published in homeless street newspaper after shut down
Journalists from Hungary’s main leftist daily Nepszabadsag published their work on Thursday in Budapest’s street newspaper sold by homeless people, seeking to keep the paper alive after it was shut by its owner this month. The paper’s deputy editor-in-chief says the newspaper was closed down because of articles critical of the government.
REUTERS

Maryland blogger fires back at Melania Trump defamation lawsuit
Maryland blogger Webster Tarpley, sued by Melania Trump for defamation, has asked a judge to dismiss the action, which he described as an attempt to curb his ability to speak out about the potential first lady. He also asserted the lawsuit was brought in bad faith because it was filed after he had complied with a request from Melania Trump to retract a post he’d written and to apologize for writing it.
WASHINGTON POST

Thailand government criticizes foreign media coverage, blocks BBC
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement Saturday night “deploring” foreign media who allegedly misreported the number of Thais gathered to mourn the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and claimed the actual number was higher. BBC correspondent Jonathan Head confirmed their coverage about Thailand had been blocked in the country several times.
KHAOSOD ENGLISH

Pakistan to enforce ban on Indian TV and radio content starting Friday
Amid tensions with India, Pakistan’s media regulatory authority on Wednesday decided to enforce a complete ban on Indian TV and radio content starting Friday, October 21 and warned that the licenses of those found guilty of violating the ban will be suspended.
THE TIMES OF INDIA

A celebrated Turkish writer sends a letter from prison
In the three months since the attempted military coup in Turkey, 130 writers and journalists reportedly remain in prison, including Aslı Erdoğan, a journalist and writer, who sent a message this week from a cell she shares with 21 other women.
QUARTZ

 

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