Ahmed Zidan
@zidan.bsky.social
Platforms | Press Freedom | Journalism
Good takes and bad jokes. Dark humor and 🦋hite 🦋ine.
Deputy director, audience, @freedom.press and @pressfreedomtracker.us.
@zidanism on that other site.
Good takes and bad jokes. Dark humor and 🦋hite 🦋ine.
Deputy director, audience, @freedom.press and @pressfreedomtracker.us.
@zidanism on that other site.
Pinned
Ahmed Zidan
@zidan.bsky.social
· Jul 30
Censorship Whac-A-Mole: Google search exploited to scrub articles on San Francisco tech exec
A novel method of de-indexing websites from search results was used to bury critical reporting and commentary.
freedom.press
In June, I uncovered a Google vulnerability that was exploited to de-index legitimate articles from search.
Google acknowledged it and introduced a universal fix.
But also, there is a backstory about a SF tech exec., a domestic violence case, and a persistent censorship campaign.
@freedom.press:
Google acknowledged it and introduced a universal fix.
But also, there is a backstory about a SF tech exec., a domestic violence case, and a persistent censorship campaign.
@freedom.press:
Tunisia frees prominent commentator Sonia Dahmani
Tunisia frees prominent commentator Sonia Dahmani - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, November 27, 2025 — The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the Thursday release of Tunisian commentator and lawyer Sonia Dahmani, who had been held since May 2024 over comments made d...
cpj.org
November 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Tunisia frees prominent commentator Sonia Dahmani
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
FACT CHECK: 73% of people detained by ICE have
no convictions.
See the data for yourself 👉 https://ow.ly/8iJL50XyazA
no convictions.
See the data for yourself 👉 https://ow.ly/8iJL50XyazA
November 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
FACT CHECK: 73% of people detained by ICE have
no convictions.
See the data for yourself 👉 https://ow.ly/8iJL50XyazA
no convictions.
See the data for yourself 👉 https://ow.ly/8iJL50XyazA
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Law aside, Trump's attacks on journalism over coverage he doesn't like "is not something that should be politically viable," @seth-stern.bsky.social told BBC.
"The ball is really in the public's court to push back and say 'this is not the American way.'"
Watch more:
"The ball is really in the public's court to push back and say 'this is not the American way.'"
Watch more:
November 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Law aside, Trump's attacks on journalism over coverage he doesn't like "is not something that should be politically viable," @seth-stern.bsky.social told BBC.
"The ball is really in the public's court to push back and say 'this is not the American way.'"
Watch more:
"The ball is really in the public's court to push back and say 'this is not the American way.'"
Watch more:
“The court in Florida may well rule that the proper jurisdiction is England as that is the center of gravity where most viewers saw the broadcast. And it is hard to see how Trump suffered any proprietary loss in Florida.
“Then there is the … New York Times v. Sullivan.”
“Then there is the … New York Times v. Sullivan.”
thehill.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
“The court in Florida may well rule that the proper jurisdiction is England as that is the center of gravity where most viewers saw the broadcast. And it is hard to see how Trump suffered any proprietary loss in Florida.
“Then there is the … New York Times v. Sullivan.”
“Then there is the … New York Times v. Sullivan.”
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Los Angeles ➡️ Chicago ➡️ Charlotte ➡️ New Orleans ➡️ ???
As ICE and Border Patrol invade more American cities, local communities are sharing tips about how to respond and defend their rights.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social and @adamrose.bsky.social offer perspective:
As ICE and Border Patrol invade more American cities, local communities are sharing tips about how to respond and defend their rights.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social and @adamrose.bsky.social offer perspective:
As Charlotte immigration enforcement fears linger, activists from Chicago offer advice
As federal immigration enforcement departs Charlotte, organizers and advocates share lessons they’ve learned from Chicago’s immigration raids — lessons that could inform responses to future crackdowns...
www.wfae.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Los Angeles ➡️ Chicago ➡️ Charlotte ➡️ New Orleans ➡️ ???
As ICE and Border Patrol invade more American cities, local communities are sharing tips about how to respond and defend their rights.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social and @adamrose.bsky.social offer perspective:
As ICE and Border Patrol invade more American cities, local communities are sharing tips about how to respond and defend their rights.
FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social and @adamrose.bsky.social offer perspective:
ICE now casually and lawlessly arrests scholars, journalists and commentators without any justification.
Professor Detained En Route To Middle East Studies Conference: Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle East Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody.
Professor Detained En Route To Middle East Studies Conference: Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle East Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody.
Iranian Studies Professor Taken Into Immigration Custody While Traveling To Academic Conference
Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle East Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody.
www.huffpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 AM
ICE now casually and lawlessly arrests scholars, journalists and commentators without any justification.
Professor Detained En Route To Middle East Studies Conference: Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle East Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody.
Professor Detained En Route To Middle East Studies Conference: Vahid Abedini was on his way to a Middle East Studies Association meeting when he was detained. He’s now in ICE custody.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
No president should have the power to silence journalists or control who gets to question them.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
OpEd: Executive Editor Julie Pace on why AP is standing for your right to speak freely
The executive editor of The Associated Press says the news organization is fighting for the right of the press and public to speak freely without being targeted by the government.
apnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
No president should have the power to silence journalists or control who gets to question them.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
That's an all-star panel!!
🔔 Join us for a discussion with immigration journalists about reporting truth and protecting communities, ft. @maritzafelix.bsky.social, @arelisrhdz.bsky.social, @lamthuyvo.bsky.social, @joseiswriting.bsky.social, and @caitlinvogus.bsky.social.
🗓️ Dec. 5, 2 pm ET
RSVP: freedom.press/immigration-...
🗓️ Dec. 5, 2 pm ET
RSVP: freedom.press/immigration-...
November 21, 2025 at 10:03 PM
That's an all-star panel!!
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Arms supplier to press murderers welcomes press murderer to DC
Arms supplier to press murderers welcomes press murderer to DC
DHS targets journalists for speaking out about Gaza
freedom.press
November 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Arms supplier to press murderers welcomes press murderer to DC
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
The hate crime charge against Alexa Wilkinson for photographing vandalism of the New York Times building is a dangerous precedent, no matter what you think of Wilkinson.
Journalist or not, photography isn’t a hate crime
Gatekeeping over hate crime charges misses the forest for the trees
freedom.press
November 22, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The hate crime charge against Alexa Wilkinson for photographing vandalism of the New York Times building is a dangerous precedent, no matter what you think of Wilkinson.
Journalist-hating president kisses up to journalist-killing crown prince
Arms supplier to press murderers welcomes press murderer to DC
DHS targets journalists for speaking out about Gaza
freedom.press
November 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Journalist-hating president kisses up to journalist-killing crown prince
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
I’m glad every executive and politician spent several months trembling in fear and presenting tchotchkes and bending over at every possible opportunity, when they could have just been good at their jobs and behaved with integrity like New York’s new mayor just did.
And he cucked him in no time!
And he cucked him in no time!
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I’m glad every executive and politician spent several months trembling in fear and presenting tchotchkes and bending over at every possible opportunity, when they could have just been good at their jobs and behaved with integrity like New York’s new mayor just did.
And he cucked him in no time!
And he cucked him in no time!
Yikes.
“Senior White House officials have discussed internally their preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in recent weeks, and one official has discussed potential programming changes at CNN with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount.”
“Senior White House officials have discussed internally their preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in recent weeks, and one official has discussed potential programming changes at CNN with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount.”
Larry Ellison discussed axing CNN hosts with White House in takeover bid talks
Exclusive: Senior officials indicated favorability toward Paramount Skydance acquiring Warner Bros Discovery
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Yikes.
“Senior White House officials have discussed internally their preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in recent weeks, and one official has discussed potential programming changes at CNN with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount.”
“Senior White House officials have discussed internally their preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in recent weeks, and one official has discussed potential programming changes at CNN with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount.”
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
“It looks like these officers believe transparency itself is obstructive to their operations, which is a pretty good indicator that their operations are in need of obstruction … The First Amendment is intended to obstruct government abuses.”
Immigration agents claim routine reporting violates federal law
Officers who can’t handle public scrutiny should get a job that doesn’t involve publicly abducting people.
freedom.press
November 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
“It looks like these officers believe transparency itself is obstructive to their operations, which is a pretty good indicator that their operations are in need of obstruction … The First Amendment is intended to obstruct government abuses.”
Mahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Admin for Communications With Anti-Palestinian Groups
Khalil is seeking all communications between the Trump administration and outside pro-Israel doxxing groups like Canary Mission.
@zeteo.com's @premthakker.bsky.social has the story ⬇️
Khalil is seeking all communications between the Trump administration and outside pro-Israel doxxing groups like Canary Mission.
@zeteo.com's @premthakker.bsky.social has the story ⬇️
EXCLUSIVE: Mahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Admin for Communications With Anti-Palestinian Groups
Khalil is seeking all communications between the Trump administration and outside pro-Israel doxxing groups like Canary Mission.
zeteo.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Mahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Admin for Communications With Anti-Palestinian Groups
Khalil is seeking all communications between the Trump administration and outside pro-Israel doxxing groups like Canary Mission.
@zeteo.com's @premthakker.bsky.social has the story ⬇️
Khalil is seeking all communications between the Trump administration and outside pro-Israel doxxing groups like Canary Mission.
@zeteo.com's @premthakker.bsky.social has the story ⬇️
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Trump on brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi: "Things happen, but [MBS] knew nothing about it.”"
In 2021 the Director of National Intelligence declassified a report saying otherwise.
In 2021 the Director of National Intelligence declassified a report saying otherwise.
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Trump on brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi: "Things happen, but [MBS] knew nothing about it.”"
In 2021 the Director of National Intelligence declassified a report saying otherwise.
In 2021 the Director of National Intelligence declassified a report saying otherwise.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
So we went from feigned outrage about allegedly biased public media to the president making deals with centibillionaire friends to make corporate media more biased. Got it.
Larry Ellison discussed axing CNN hosts with White House in takeover bid talks
Exclusive: Senior officials indicated favorability toward Paramount Skydance acquiring Warner Bros Discovery
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
So we went from feigned outrage about allegedly biased public media to the president making deals with centibillionaire friends to make corporate media more biased. Got it.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
"Somehow calling a female reporter 'piggy' was only the second-most offensive anti-press utterance to come out of the president’s mouth in recent days."
Read our statement: freedom.press/issues/press...
Read our statement: freedom.press/issues/press...
November 19, 2025 at 8:21 PM
"Somehow calling a female reporter 'piggy' was only the second-most offensive anti-press utterance to come out of the president’s mouth in recent days."
Read our statement: freedom.press/issues/press...
Read our statement: freedom.press/issues/press...
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
The hate crime charge against Alexa Wilkinson for photographing vandalism of the New York Times building is a dangerous precedent, no matter what you think of Wilkinson.
Journalist or not, photography isn’t a hate crime
Gatekeeping over hate crime charges misses the forest for the trees
freedom.press
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The hate crime charge against Alexa Wilkinson for photographing vandalism of the New York Times building is a dangerous precedent, no matter what you think of Wilkinson.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Trump's censor in chief at the FCC, Brendan Carr, just sent a letter to the heads of BBC, NPR and PBS informing them he's launching a "news distortion" probe into the BBC's editing of a documentary on Trump's Jan. 6 activities.
Here it is:
Here it is:
November 19, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Trump's censor in chief at the FCC, Brendan Carr, just sent a letter to the heads of BBC, NPR and PBS informing them he's launching a "news distortion" probe into the BBC's editing of a documentary on Trump's Jan. 6 activities.
Here it is:
Here it is:
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
🔴 Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bonesawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity.
Read our full statement below:
Read our full statement below:
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 AM
🔴 Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bonesawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity.
Read our full statement below:
Read our full statement below:
📥 “Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bonesawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity.” — @freedom.press
Full statement below:
Full statement below:
November 19, 2025 at 12:21 AM
📥 “Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bonesawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity.” — @freedom.press
Full statement below:
Full statement below:
When the U.S. government suppresses pro-Palestine speech, it convinces itself it's not violating the First Amendment, because it equates pro-Palestine speech with pro-terrorism, @atlpresscollective.com's Samantha C. Hamilton says.
She calls it a "de-factor Palestine exception to" 1A.
Watch live:
She calls it a "de-factor Palestine exception to" 1A.
Watch live:
ICE's targeting of pro-Palestinian journalists
YouTube video by Freedom of the Press Foundation
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
When the U.S. government suppresses pro-Palestine speech, it convinces itself it's not violating the First Amendment, because it equates pro-Palestine speech with pro-terrorism, @atlpresscollective.com's Samantha C. Hamilton says.
She calls it a "de-factor Palestine exception to" 1A.
Watch live:
She calls it a "de-factor Palestine exception to" 1A.
Watch live:
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
🔴 LIVE NOW: Join us for a conversation about ICE's targeting of pro-Palestinian journalists, featuring @hmaesq.bsky.social, @cgbatty.bsky.social, Samantha C. Hamilton, Sam Judy, Marium Uddin, and moderated by FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social.
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hzn...
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hzn...
November 18, 2025 at 7:06 PM
🔴 LIVE NOW: Join us for a conversation about ICE's targeting of pro-Palestinian journalists, featuring @hmaesq.bsky.social, @cgbatty.bsky.social, Samantha C. Hamilton, Sam Judy, Marium Uddin, and moderated by FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social.
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hzn...
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hzn...
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Update: Sami Hamdi and his wife, Soumaya will also join today's discussion.
Sami is back home in England after 18 days in ICE custody.
Register here: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Sami is back home in England after 18 days in ICE custody.
Register here: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
🔔 Join us for a conversation about ICE's targeting of pro-Palestinian journalists, featuring @hmaesq.bsky.social, @cgbatty.bsky.social, Samantha C. Hamilton, Sam Judy, Marium Uddin, and moderated by FPF's @seth-stern.bsky.social.
🗓️ Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m. EST
RSVP: freedom.press/targeted-by-ice
🗓️ Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m. EST
RSVP: freedom.press/targeted-by-ice
November 18, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Update: Sami Hamdi and his wife, Soumaya will also join today's discussion.
Sami is back home in England after 18 days in ICE custody.
Register here: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Sami is back home in England after 18 days in ICE custody.
Register here: zoom.us/webinar/regi...