Motaz Azaiza showed the world what Palestinians endure in war, Iranian journalism alive but hanging by a thread, and is Ukraine’s information war turning on its own journalists?

The International Journalism Festival weekly round-up. Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletterby following our Telegram channel, or by joining us on Facebook and Twitter.

Journalist Motaz Azaiza showed the world what Palestinians endure in war. Now he’s left Gaza. Azaiza became a go-to voice for people seeking first-hand reporting from Gaza. His Instagram account grew from a reported 25,000 followers before the outset of the violence to more than 18.2 million.

In Iran, journalism is still alive but hanging by a thread. President Ebrahim Raisi is leaving no stone unturned to ensure his country dethrones North Korea as the most inhospitable place for reporters.

Is Ukraine’s information war turning on its own journalists? Olga Rudenko, editor-in-chief of the Kyiv Independent, said that the government response to current cases of harassment is a “litmus test,” and that any failure to react would constitute a “green light to attack journalists.”

Afghanistan: an online magazine for women. Brave Afghan women are advocating for their rights under the rule of the radical Taliban. The online magazine Zan Times, published by a group of female Afghan journalists, aims to inform the public.

How the government captured the BBC. A right-wing cabal, largely unaccountable, is waging war on the principles that made our public broadcaster great. It must not succeed. By Alan Rusbridger.

Content from our partner McKinsey & Company

Managers and generative AI shaped last year’s talent landscape.
What’s in store for talent leaders in 2024? McKinsey partners Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle discuss in a new episode of McKinsey Talks Talent.

How AI could sap – or save – local news. The answers to these nine questions could shape the outcome of artificial intelligence’s effects on the local news sector.

Facebook made a major change after years of PR disasters, and news sites are paying the price. In getting out of the news distribution business, Meta has upended many publications that had come to depend on Facebook for referral traffic.

CUNY journalism program goes tuition-free. The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY will be the first US journalism graduate school to offer a tuition-free program — a move intended to help widen opportunities for journalists from more diverse backgrounds.

A crucial hearing as journalists under siege in Greece. Comprehensive action needed to tackle anti-media lawsuits.

Australian media giants Seven, Nine and News Corp discuss alliance to negotiate AI deals. Informal talks have taken place between commercial media giants and public broadcasters about an alliance to collectively bargain with AI firms for compensation.

How media managers think AI might transform the news ecosystem. At a recent forum, media executives imagined how AI would impact their industry in the near future.

Photo credit: Motaz Azaiza in a photograph shared on his Facebook page