LONDON: TV crews from international news channels will be subject to “chilling” restrictions while reporting from Qatar for the FIFA World Cup, a human rights organization has warned.
The Gulf state has barred film crews from conducting interviews in residences, migrant worker accommodation sites, government buildings, universities, religious sites and private businesses, The Guardian reported.
Broadcasters must also “respect the privacy of individuals” and avoid filming people or properties without “express prior approval.
It comes as part of conditions imposed by Qatar for film permit applications to “capture photography and videography of the most popular locations around the country.”
However, the rules mean that media will be unable to investigate high-profile controversies surrounding the country’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup, including the alleged widespread abuse and repression of migrant workers.
FairSquare, a London-based human rights group, warned that the rules are an “extraordinarily sweeping range of restrictions.”
Co-director James Lynch said: “It would be incredibly difficult to fully comply with these terms, if even filming near to private or government property violates the terms of a permit.
“This is likely to have a severe chilling effect on free expression. How many organizations will authorize reporting on Qatar’s social issues if to do so puts them at risk of ending up in court?”
Index on Censorship Editor-in-Chief Jemimah Steinfeld described the Qatari rules as “definite cause for concern.”
She added: “The question is whether there might be stories that they (media) can still do within the realms of that agreement, and is it more important that they do those stories?
“If the BBC is basically being shoved into a position where all they can cover is the glory of it, then that would be a bad outcome.”
A BBC spokesman said the broadcaster had “a proven record of addressing topical issues as part of our coverage. This World Cup will be no different.”
Qatar has faced previous criticism for its treatment of journalists. In 2015, authorities in the country arrested and detained several BBC journalists who were investigating allegations surrounding the ill-treatment of migrant workers.
And last year, a pair of journalists from Norway faced similar punishments while covering the same issue.
In response to fears of a media crackdown, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for the World Cup said: “Several regional and international media outlets are based in Qatar, and thousands of journalists report from Qatar freely without interference each year.”
FIFA said in a statement that it is “working with the Supreme Committee and relevant organizations in Qatar to ensure the best possible working conditions for media attending the tournament, as well as ensuring that broadcasters continue to report freely without any restrictions.”
Qatar restricting media with ‘chilling’ rules ahead of World Cup
https://arab.news/4hkuy
Qatar restricting media with ‘chilling’ rules ahead of World Cup
- Human rights group describes policies as ‘definite cause for concern’
Tucker Carlson claims he was detained at Israeli airport
DUBAI: Earlier this week, Tucker Carlson flew to Israel to interview US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, according to media reports.
Carlson, who reportedly refused to leave Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport complex, conducted the interview at the airport, after which he said he and his staff were detained and their passports were seized.
“Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about,” Carlson said in a statement to The New York Post.
However, Carlson’s claims have been contradicted by Huckabee and Israeli authorities.
Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and Fox News host, said on social media platform X that “EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions,” including himself, despite holding a diplomatic passport and visa.
Thanks @EFischberger for a more accurate report. EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions. Even ME going in/out with Diplomatic Passport & Diplomatic Visa. https://t.co/UbblLiznMO
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 18, 2026
The US Embassy in Israel also described the interaction as routine passport control procedures.
The Israel Airports Authority said in a statement that Carlson and his staff “were not detained, delayed, or interrogated.”
They were asked “a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers,” and this conversation took place in a separate room within the VIP lounge to protect their privacy, the statement added.
“No unusual incident occurred, and the Israel Airports Authority firmly rejects any other claims.”
Israeli Airports Authority:
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) February 18, 2026
Contrary to the reports, Tucker Carlson and his entourage were not detained, delayed, or interrogated.
Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers.
The…
Carlson has faced criticism in recent years over his commentary on Israel, with critics accusing him of amplifying narratives that are hostile to Israel and, at times, antisemitic. He has also questioned Israel’s treatment of Christian communities in the region.
After Fox News canceled his show in April 2023, he launched his own program, “The Tucker Carlson Show” in 2024.
The show has featured controversial figures, including Darryl Cooper, who has made statements widely condemned as Holocaust denial, and white nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes.
In his interview with Fuentes, Carlson labeled Huckabee a “Christian Zionist.”
Carlson has also criticized Huckabee for not doing enough to protect Christian interests in the region. In one video, he said: “Why not go ahead and talk to Christians and find out their side of the story? Why aren’t American Christian leaders like Mike Huckabee or Ted Cruz, people who invoke the Christian Bible to justify what they’re doing, why haven’t they done this?”
Huckabee responded to the video on X, writing: “Instead of talking ABOUT me, why don’t you come talk TO me? You seem to be generating a lot of heat about the Middle East. Why be afraid of the light?”
Carlson accepted the invitation, and their teams coordinated the interview, leading to his brief visit to Israel.
