Al Jazeera Journalism Review
Western Media’s Double Standards on Muslim Women’s Suffering
When an Iranian student publicly protested against security forces by undressing, the moment garnered widespread attention in Western media. Meanwhile, even as 70 percent of those killed in Palestine are women and children, this ongoing violence—including the systematic killing, torture, and detention of Palestinian women—receives minimal coverage. This disparity raises urgent questions: How do Western media represent women’s issues in the Islamic world, and to what extent are such portrayals shaped by double standards?
Latest Articles
Amid Increasing Pressure, Journalists in India Practice More Self-Censorship
In a country where nearly 970 million people are participating in a crucial general election, the state of journalism in India is under scrutiny. Journalists face harassment, self-censorship, and attacks, especially under the current Modi-led government. Mainstream media also practices self-censorship to avoid repercussions. The future of journalism in India appears uncertain, but hope lies in the resilience of independent media outlets.
Your Words Are Your Weapon — You Are a Soldier in a Propaganda War
Narrative warfare and the role of journalists in it is immense; the context of the conflict, the battleground has shifted to the realm of narratives, where journalists play a decisive role in shaping the narrative.
The Privilege and Burden of Conflict Reporting in Nigeria: Navigating the Emotional Toll
The internal struggle and moral dilemmas faced by a conflict reporter, as they grapple with the overwhelming nature of the tragedies they witness and the sense of helplessness in the face of such immense suffering. It ultimately underscores the vital role of conflict journalism in preserving historical memory and giving a voice to the voiceless.
Journalism in chains in Cameroon
Investigative journalists in Cameroon sometimes use treacherous means to navigate the numerous challenges that hamper the practice of their profession: the absence of the Freedom of Information Act, the criminalisation of press offenses, and the scare of the overly-broad anti-terrorism law.
The Perils of Journalism and the Rise of Citizen Media in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia's media landscape is grim, with low rankings for internet and press freedom across the region. While citizen journalism has risen to fill the gaps, journalists - both professional and citizen - face significant risks due to government crackdowns and the collusion between tech companies and authorities to enable censorship and surveillance.
Orientalism, Imperialism and The Western Coverage of Palestine
Western mainstream media biases and defence of the Israeli narrative are connected to orientalism, racism, and imperialism, serving the interests of Western ruling political and economic elites. However, it is being challenged by global movements aiming to shed light on the realities of the conflict and express solidarity with the Palestinian population.
Opinion
Shaimaa Al-Eisai
Western Media’s Double Standards on Muslim Women’s Suffering
When an Iranian student publicly protested against security forces by undressing, the moment garnered widespread attention in Western media. Meanwhile, even as 70 percent of those killed in…
Assal Rad
Western Media Has Failed Their Palestinian Colleagues
A 2024 CPJ report revealed that nearly 70% of journalists killed that year were targeted by Israel, yet major Western media outlets largely ignored or downplayed the findings. The muted response…
AJR Contributor
Weaponizing the Law: SLAPPs Against Journalists and Press Freedom
SLAPPs—abusive lawsuits designed to silence journalists and activists—are surging across Southeast Asia, exploiting vague laws and weak protections to punish those who speak truth to power. As…
Diaries
Charged with Being a Journalist in Sudan
Between the barricades of the conflicting parties, sometimes displaced, and sometimes hiding from bullets, journalist Iman Kamal El-Din lived the experience of armed conflict in Sudan and conveyed to Al-Sahafa magazine the concerns and challenges of field coverage in a time of deception and targeting of journalists.
From Journalism to Agriculture or “Forced Unemployment” for Sudanese Journalists
How did the war in Sudan push dozens of journalists to change their professions in search of a decent life? In this article, colleague Muhammad Shaarawi recounts the journey of journalists who were forced by war conditions to work in agriculture, selling vegetables, and other professions.
Testimonies of the First Witness of the Sabra & Shatila Massacre
The Sabra and Shatila massacre in 1982 saw over 3,000 unarmed Palestinian refugees brutally killed by Phalangist militias under the facilitation of Israeli forces. As the first journalist to enter the camps, Japanese journalist Ryuichi Hirokawa provides a harrowing first-hand account of the atrocity amid a media blackout. His testimony highlights the power of bearing witness to a war crime and contrasts the past Israeli public outcry with today’s silence over the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Reports
Western Media’s Double Standards on Muslim Women’s Suffering
When an Iranian student publicly protested against security forces by undressing, the moment garnered widespread attention in Western media. Meanwhile, even as 70 percent of those killed in Palestine are women and children, this ongoing violence—including the systematic killing, torture, and detention of Palestinian women—receives minimal coverage. This disparity raises urgent questions: How do Western media represent women’s issues in the Islamic world, and to what extent are such portrayals shaped by double standards?
Weaponizing the Law: SLAPPs Against Journalists and Press Freedom
SLAPPs—abusive lawsuits designed to silence journalists and activists—are surging across Southeast Asia, exploiting vague laws and weak protections to punish those who speak truth to power. As legal harassment intensifies, journalists face not only imprisonment and censorship but also emotional trauma, exile, and long-term damage to their careers.
Monitoring of Journalistic Malpractices in Gaza Coverage
On this page, the editorial team of the Al Jazeera Journalism Review will collect news published by media institutions about the current war on Gaza that involves disinformation, bias, or professional journalistic standards and its code of ethics.
In The Cross Fire: The Perils of Rural Journalism in India's Conflict Zones
In India’s conflict-ridden regions like Bastar and Manipur, local journalists—especially freelancers and women—risk their lives daily to report on corruption, displacement, and state violence, often without institutional support or protection. Their work, largely invisible to national media, exposes a stark reality where telling the truth can cost them everything, even their lives.
How Media Drives Collective Adaptation During Natural Disasters in Oman
This paper highlights how Omani media, during times of natural disasters, focused on praising government efforts to improve its image, while neglecting the voices of victims and those affected by the cyclones. It also examines the media’s role in warning against and preventing future disasters.
Is India Targeting Independent Media Through Tax Status Revocation?
In a move that’s sent shockwaves through India’s independent media landscape, tax authorities have revoked The Reporters’ Collective's non—profit status, claiming journalism doesn’t serve a “public purpose.” Critics warn this unprecedented action, echoed in similar crackdowns on other outlets, is part of a broader campaign to throttle investigative journalism and stifle dissent financially.
