KYIV: Ukraine opened an investigation Wednesday after journalists from a prominent anti-corruption news outlet were secretly recorded and wiretapped, authorities said.
A video purporting to show employees from the Bihus investigative news outlet taking drugs at a corporate party was leaked on YouTube Tuesday.
Ukraine’s SBU security services said they were looking into “illegal wiretapping” of the outlet.
“The SBU believes that transparent and unhindered work of independent and professional media is an important condition for the development of Ukraine as a democratic state,” it said.
Ukraine’s Mediarukh press union publicly called on President Volodymyr Zelensky to condemn what it said was a “pressure campaign” against journalists.
Bihus is one of Ukraine’s most popular investigative news websites and has probed alleged corruption involving several politicians and business people.
“The entire team was monitored for at least several months,” the outlet said in a statement.
“We are currently trying to find out who stands behind this attack and are considering the possibility of contacting law enforcement with a statement about monitoring the employees,” it added.
Ukraine probes wiretap on investigative news outlet
https://arab.news/6jkj8
Ukraine probes wiretap on investigative news outlet
- Investigation was launched after a controversial video of popular news outlet Bihus party was leaked on YouTube
- Press union condemned “pressure campaign” against journalists
RT Arabic to launch new TV program marking 100 years of Russia-Saudi relations
- The program will broadcast twice a month starting next month
RIYADH: Russian news network, RT Arabic, is set to launch a new analytical program, “Studio Riyadh,” from the capital next month as part of celebrations marking 100 years of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Saudi Arabia.
The program will be hosted by veteran Saudi journalist Mohammed Al-Rashed and broadcast twice a month, starting February 2026. It will provide in-depth analysis of regional and international developments, featuring prominent political and media figures.
Maya Manna, head of RT Arabic, said that the launch aligned with commemorations of the historic ties between the two countries and reflected a growing commitment to media cooperation.
“Studio Riyadh” will join RT Arabic’s lineup of international programs broadcast from major capitals including Beirut, Cairo, Washington and Paris.
Each 26-minute episode will air on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and feature a focused dialogue on a pressing current affairs topic.
Al-Rashed, a seasoned presenter and correspondent with more than 20 years of experience, is expected to bring deep regional insight and journalistic rigor to the program.
RT Arabic, which was the first Russian news channel to broadcast 24/7 in Arabic, has grown into one of the region’s leading platforms for political analysis. It currently reaches an estimated audience of 400 million viewers and operates a broad network of regional bureaus.
