Journalist Held in Kuwait for Posting War Video

Kuwait Detains US Journalist for Publicly Shared War Footage

Kuwait has detained American journalist Ahmed Shihab Eldin for six weeks. He was arrested after posting a video of a U.S. fighter jet crash.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports authorities charged him with spreading false information. They also accused him of harming national security and misusing his phone.

Video Was Publicly Available and Newsworthy

Shihab al-Din published the geolocated video on March 2nd, shortly after the U.S. launched military actions. The video showed a U.S. fighter jet crashing near a U.S. air base in Kuwait. This footage was verified by CNN.

Many news outlets, like Sky News, also broadcast the video. It was considered highly newsworthy and not confidential.

Journalist’s Background and Concerns

Ahmed Shihab Eldin is a respected journalist who has worked with major outlets. These include PBS, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Al Jazeera, and Vice. He is an American citizen with family in New York.

His supporters worry he may face charges under new security laws in Kuwait. They also fear he could be tried in a new security court.

“This is the most clear-cut example of criminalizing journalism and speech. It is outrageous,” said Jelani Cobb, Dean of Columbia Journalism School, where Shihab Eldin earned his master’s degree.

Columbia Journalism School Calls for Release

The Columbia Journalism School released a statement demanding Shihab al-Din’s immediate release. The school expressed serious concerns about press censorship.

They also highlighted worries about the criminalization of reporting on the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region. Jelani Cobb, a staff writer for The New Yorker and Dean of Columbia Journalism School, spoke about the case.

Broader Implications for Press Freedom

Cobb stated that Shihab al-Din’s detention is straightforward criminalization of journalism. He believes this situation reflects a broader lack of accountability for such actions.

Cobb suggested that the U.S. government’s own approach to the press may embolden other nations. He pointed to the detentions of American journalists Jason Rezaian in Iran and Evan Gershkovich in Russia as similar cases.

Detention in an Allied Nation Raises Questions

Unlike detentions in adversary nations, Shihab al-Din was held in Kuwait, an ally of the U.S. This raises questions about why the U.S. government has not used its influence to secure his release. Cobb noted that in previous similar situations, the U.S. government’s involvement was crucial. He expressed disappointment in the current administration’s silence on the matter.

Calls for Government Action

Senator Chris Murphy has spoken out, calling Shihab al-Din’s detention part of a trend by governments, including the Trump administration, to censor journalists. He emphasized that Shihab al-Din is an American citizen and that this fact should reduce the justification for his detention. Press freedom advocates have expressed concern for years, but Cobb feels there hasn’t been a noticeable impact on reporter safety.

Journalists Continue to Take Risks

Despite the risks, Cobb praised journalists like Shihab Eldin who continue to report truthfully. He acknowledged that while the U.S. administration’s stance on the press is concerning, bilateral relationships between nations will continue. The detention of an American citizen in an allied country for sharing publicly available information highlights significant press freedom issues.

What’s Next for Ahmed Shihab Eldin

The exact charges and the duration of Shihab Eldin’s detention remain unclear. His supporters and press freedom organizations continue to call for his immediate release.

The U.S. State Department has not yet provided a clear statement on actions being taken to secure his freedom. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists reporting in sensitive regions.

Source: ‘Outrageous’: American journalist detained in Kuwait after posting Iran war video (YouTube)