Emily Wither
@emilywither.bsky.social
Journalist & broadcaster based in Istanbul. News & documentaries.
https://linktr.ee/EmilyWither
https://linktr.ee/EmilyWither
Reposted by Emily Wither
In his first interview on the job, Syria’s new tech minister Abdulsalam Haykal talks to @emilywither.bsky.social about how he plans to rebuild the country’s shattered digital infrastructure — and why he came back after years in exile
https://restofworld.org/2025/syria-tech-minister-abdulsalam-haykal
https://restofworld.org/2025/syria-tech-minister-abdulsalam-haykal
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
In his first interview on the job, Syria’s new tech minister Abdulsalam Haykal talks to @emilywither.bsky.social about how he plans to rebuild the country’s shattered digital infrastructure — and why he came back after years in exile
https://restofworld.org/2025/syria-tech-minister-abdulsalam-haykal
https://restofworld.org/2025/syria-tech-minister-abdulsalam-haykal
Old Damascus - incredible (and still surreal) to be able to now hop on a two hour flight from Istanbul
October 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Old Damascus - incredible (and still surreal) to be able to now hop on a two hour flight from Istanbul
Thrilled to be shortlisted for the best feature award with my documentary from Saudi Arabia: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The shortlist for our Freelance Journalism Awards 2025 is out. Check out this week's newsletter everyone open.substack.com/pub/freelanc...
Freelance Journalism Awards 2025 Shortlist!
Let's see who our finalists are
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Thrilled to be shortlisted for the best feature award with my documentary from Saudi Arabia: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Emily Wither
“‘The first thing that happened when the regime fell is that the mobile phones started working again!’ It was, maybe, a good omen.”
@emilywither.bsky.social for @restofworld.org : restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
@emilywither.bsky.social for @restofworld.org : restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Syria’s quest to build its own Silicon Valley
Tech founders in Damascus are rebooting a war-torn country.
restofworld.org
September 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
“‘The first thing that happened when the regime fell is that the mobile phones started working again!’ It was, maybe, a good omen.”
@emilywither.bsky.social for @restofworld.org : restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
@emilywither.bsky.social for @restofworld.org : restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Reposted by Emily Wither
"When you’re in Silicon Valley, you never really think of the ordinary. You’re always thinking of the disruptive. Syria will be the ultimate disrupter."
@emilywither.bsky.social @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
@emilywither.bsky.social @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Syria’s quest to build its own Silicon Valley
Tech founders in Damascus are rebooting a war-torn country.
restofworld.org
September 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"When you’re in Silicon Valley, you never really think of the ordinary. You’re always thinking of the disruptive. Syria will be the ultimate disrupter."
@emilywither.bsky.social @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
@emilywither.bsky.social @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Reposted by Emily Wither
“Take the only fertility clinic in Gaza. They smashed the tanks, killed those embryos.”
Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN commission of inquiry, tells @krishgm.bsky.social they were “thorough” in determining that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Read and watch:
www.channel4.com/news/why-my-...
Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN commission of inquiry, tells @krishgm.bsky.social they were “thorough” in determining that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Read and watch:
www.channel4.com/news/why-my-...
Why my UN commission concluded Israel committing genocide in Gaza
Channel 4 News speaks to Navi Pillay, a South African jurist who was the Chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
www.channel4.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:46 AM
“Take the only fertility clinic in Gaza. They smashed the tanks, killed those embryos.”
Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN commission of inquiry, tells @krishgm.bsky.social they were “thorough” in determining that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Read and watch:
www.channel4.com/news/why-my-...
Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN commission of inquiry, tells @krishgm.bsky.social they were “thorough” in determining that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Read and watch:
www.channel4.com/news/why-my-...
Reposted by Emily Wither
Assad is out. Startups are in.
Read @emilywither.bsky.social's feature on the new Syria
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Read @emilywither.bsky.social's feature on the new Syria
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Syria’s quest to build its own Silicon Valley
Tech founders in Damascus are rebooting a war-torn country.
restofworld.org
September 16, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Assad is out. Startups are in.
Read @emilywither.bsky.social's feature on the new Syria
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Read @emilywither.bsky.social's feature on the new Syria
restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
Reposted by Emily Wither
📰Sunday extras!
"Turkey's 'Year of the Family'" by @emilywither.bsky.social and @zbilginsoy.bsky.social. [1/5]
"Turkey's 'Year of the Family'" by @emilywither.bsky.social and @zbilginsoy.bsky.social. [1/5]
BBC World Service - Business Daily, Turkey's 'Year of the Family'
President Erdoğan wants women to have at least three children to boost the birth rate
www.bbc.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 5:39 AM
📰Sunday extras!
"Turkey's 'Year of the Family'" by @emilywither.bsky.social and @zbilginsoy.bsky.social. [1/5]
"Turkey's 'Year of the Family'" by @emilywither.bsky.social and @zbilginsoy.bsky.social. [1/5]
President Erdogan wants women to have at least three children to boost the country's declining birthrate. Will it work? My programme on Turkey's 'Year of the Family' initiative for BBC World Service 🎧
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
BBC World Service - Business Daily, Turkey's 'Year of the Family'
President Erdoğan wants women to have at least three children to boost the birth rate
www.bbc.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 1:39 PM
President Erdogan wants women to have at least three children to boost the country's declining birthrate. Will it work? My programme on Turkey's 'Year of the Family' initiative for BBC World Service 🎧
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
Reposted by Emily Wither
Xi and Modi are ‘partners not rivals’ in attempt to repair China-India ties
www.channel4.com/news/xi-and-...
www.channel4.com/news/xi-and-...
Xi and Modi are ‘partners not rivals’ in attempt to repair China-India ties
For years the relationship between China and India was characterised by mistrust, with the Indians leaning towards the west for support. But the two countries are being pushed closer by Trump's tariff...
www.channel4.com
August 31, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Xi and Modi are ‘partners not rivals’ in attempt to repair China-India ties
www.channel4.com/news/xi-and-...
www.channel4.com/news/xi-and-...
We covered the announcement yesterday on @channel4news.bsky.social on new chickenpox vaccines www.channel4.com/news/nhs-to-... but with vaccine uptake at a 15 year low we spoke to Dr. Okorocha about how social media is fuelling hesitancy.
August 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
We covered the announcement yesterday on @channel4news.bsky.social on new chickenpox vaccines www.channel4.com/news/nhs-to-... but with vaccine uptake at a 15 year low we spoke to Dr. Okorocha about how social media is fuelling hesitancy.
Another five journalists were killed in Gaza in an Israeli double tap strike on a hospital - among them Mariam Dagga who had just told her sister she believed she would be killed ‘today or tomorrow’. Our piece for @channel4news.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=EevA...
Gaza journalist believed she would be killed ‘today or tomorrow’
YouTube video by Channel 4 News
www.youtube.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Another five journalists were killed in Gaza in an Israeli double tap strike on a hospital - among them Mariam Dagga who had just told her sister she believed she would be killed ‘today or tomorrow’. Our piece for @channel4news.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=EevA...
Huge thanks to @rorypecktrust.bsky.social for making sure freelance & independent journalists (like we three!) receive the safety training we need to work in high risk envir. Many of us work as freelancers without the security of big newsrooms, this is one org making sure we are looked after.
August 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Huge thanks to @rorypecktrust.bsky.social for making sure freelance & independent journalists (like we three!) receive the safety training we need to work in high risk envir. Many of us work as freelancers without the security of big newsrooms, this is one org making sure we are looked after.
Once bustling Syrian neighbourhoods in Turkey are now noticeably quieter. As 100s of thousands of Syrians head home after Assad's fall - I take a look at the implications for Turkey's economy, and for Syrians that want to remain 🎧 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
August 4, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Once bustling Syrian neighbourhoods in Turkey are now noticeably quieter. As 100s of thousands of Syrians head home after Assad's fall - I take a look at the implications for Turkey's economy, and for Syrians that want to remain 🎧 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
Reposted by Emily Wither
"The Syrian businesses leaving Turkey" by @emilywither.bsky.social. [3/5]
BBC World Service - Business Daily, The Syrian businesses leaving Turkey
We’re in Istanbul, where many refugee-owned shops are closing down as Syrians return home
www.bbc.co.uk
August 3, 2025 at 6:32 AM
"The Syrian businesses leaving Turkey" by @emilywither.bsky.social. [3/5]
Syria’s Alawites were once feared because of their long standing connection to the brutal Assad regime. Now the minority Shia sect are fearing for their lives. I’m in Lebanon speaking to Alawites, after 1000s fled sectarian violence, about their faith and future 🎧 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, The future of the Alawites
Emily Wither meets Syrian Alawites that have fled to Lebanon
www.bbc.co.uk
June 12, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Syria’s Alawites were once feared because of their long standing connection to the brutal Assad regime. Now the minority Shia sect are fearing for their lives. I’m in Lebanon speaking to Alawites, after 1000s fled sectarian violence, about their faith and future 🎧 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
Scientists have long been predicting a powerful earthquake could strike Istanbul. Last year we made a documentary about how hundreds of thousands of the buildings in the city are unsafe and the complexities of trying to replace them: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
BBC World Service - The Documentary Podcast, Assignment: Tempting fate - Istanbul's earthquake dilemma
Emily Wither reports from Istanbul on the threat of an earthquake striking the city
www.bbc.co.uk
April 23, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Scientists have long been predicting a powerful earthquake could strike Istanbul. Last year we made a documentary about how hundreds of thousands of the buildings in the city are unsafe and the complexities of trying to replace them: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
Reports of magnitude 6 earthquake in the Marmara region. Felt strong shaking in Istanbul followed by several tremors. Many have left their homes and come out on to the streets. People are understandably worried and wondering if it’s safe to stay indoors.
April 23, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Reports of magnitude 6 earthquake in the Marmara region. Felt strong shaking in Istanbul followed by several tremors. Many have left their homes and come out on to the streets. People are understandably worried and wondering if it’s safe to stay indoors.
Reposted by Emily Wither
Gaza: Hamas rejects latest Israeli ceasefire plan
www.channel4.com/news/gaza-ha...
www.channel4.com/news/gaza-ha...
Gaza: Hamas rejects latest Israeli ceasefire plan
Negotiations for a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza are still going on, according to Israeli sources - although Hamas officials have rejected Israel's latest proposal to free ten hostages in return ...
www.channel4.com
April 18, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Gaza: Hamas rejects latest Israeli ceasefire plan
www.channel4.com/news/gaza-ha...
www.channel4.com/news/gaza-ha...
Important investigation from @alexcrawfreports.bsky.social & team laying out evidence that contradicts Israel's official account of the killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza: t.co/QZcYnehWCY
https://news.sky.com/story/two-hours-of-terror-sky-news-investigation-reveals-how-israels-deadly-attack-on-aid-workers-unfolded-13348776
t.co
April 18, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Important investigation from @alexcrawfreports.bsky.social & team laying out evidence that contradicts Israel's official account of the killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza: t.co/QZcYnehWCY
Reposted by Emily Wither
Well-known investigative journalists Timur Soykan & Murat Ağırel were detained this morning in Turkey after a complaint by suspects in a money laundering case. Their homes were searched & their digital devices confiscated. FMA calls for their release because #JournalismIsNotACrime
April 10, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Well-known investigative journalists Timur Soykan & Murat Ağırel were detained this morning in Turkey after a complaint by suspects in a money laundering case. Their homes were searched & their digital devices confiscated. FMA calls for their release because #JournalismIsNotACrime
On BBC Radio 4 I take you back to 2019 when a teenager coined a campaign slogan for Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu, telling him: 'Everything will be fine'. Now they are both in jail; the boy a symbol of a movement which worries that everything is far from fine: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
From Our Own Correspondent - Turkey's clampdown - BBC Sounds
The arrest of Istanbul's mayor sparked mass protests and a heavy response by authorities.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 31, 2025 at 7:30 AM
On BBC Radio 4 I take you back to 2019 when a teenager coined a campaign slogan for Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu, telling him: 'Everything will be fine'. Now they are both in jail; the boy a symbol of a movement which worries that everything is far from fine: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Emily Wither
We're live 19gmt #TheNewsroom here ---> www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... - 📻 Group chat row with @nomiaiqbal.bsky.social; @sebusher.bsky.social on anti-Hamas protest in Gaza; @emilywither.bsky.social in #Istanbul
World Service - Listen Live - BBC Sounds
Listen live to BBC World Service on BBC Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
We're live 19gmt #TheNewsroom here ---> www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... - 📻 Group chat row with @nomiaiqbal.bsky.social; @sebusher.bsky.social on anti-Hamas protest in Gaza; @emilywither.bsky.social in #Istanbul
Great to join BBC Woman's Hour for a discussion w/ feminist activist Feride Erlap about women protesting in Turkey - femicides rising here, tough economy hits women harder, women's rights being eroded & there are few female politicians: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Woman's Hour - Protests in Turkey, Adolescence, Women in Revolt! exhibition - BBC Sounds
We hear more about the protests in Turkey and the women involved in them.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Great to join BBC Woman's Hour for a discussion w/ feminist activist Feride Erlap about women protesting in Turkey - femicides rising here, tough economy hits women harder, women's rights being eroded & there are few female politicians: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
As 5th night of demonstrations took place in Istanbul after the Mayor of the city Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed pending trial... protesters told us this wasn't about politics but a fight for the future of the country's democracy. For BBC News At Ten: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmqj...
Thousands protest in Turkey as leading political rival of President Erdogan is jailed | BBC News
YouTube video by BBC News
www.youtube.com
March 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
As 5th night of demonstrations took place in Istanbul after the Mayor of the city Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed pending trial... protesters told us this wasn't about politics but a fight for the future of the country's democracy. For BBC News At Ten: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmqj...