Leading Syrian Writers and Artists Under Attack
M. LYNX QUALEY: Whether it’s novelists, songwriters or cartoonists artists of all shades and description are subject to vicious and sustained attack
New Media Law A Major Step Forward for Iraq
AHMED FAHAD, CGNEWS: While most focus with Iraq has been on the political upheaval, a law protecting the media represents a major step forward.
Censorship Begins at Home – Politics & Table Manners
CROSSROADS ARABIA: To argue is to disrespect. To disrespect is to threaten the social order. It’s a pity, though, Saudis feel the need to watch what they say.
Censors ‘Making a Comeback’ in Tunisia and Egypt
M. LYNX-QUALEY: Following a relatively brief lull in censorship activity in Tunisia and Egypt it appears they’re back in business again.
Arab Leaders Losing Battle to Control the News
JAMES M. DORSEY: Embattled regimes have failed in their effort to choke off independent reporting to ensure that their version of events dominates the news.
Gulf Government Silence Speaks Volumes
MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Most government media arms have dug their boots in. That their positions may be correct is irrelevant. After all, how strong is a position that isn’t communicated?
Newspapers Inconsistent Over Blogger Arrests
MATT J. DUFFY: The question all UAE, and indeed regional, newsrooms ask is what is the responsible approach. A responsibility to reporting the facts, or to safeguard their future.
UAE Newspapers & the Self Censorship Debate
MATT J. DUFFY: The subject matter of this article offers a insight into which types of stories the paper’s leadership believe would be “irresponsible.”
The Real Damage of Vanity Fair’s Attack on Dubai
MATT J. DUFFY: Gill’s article does not make the case for stricter press laws, rather it shows the need for journalists to take their profession seriously…
New Urgency For Anti Cyber Censorship Day
NASEEM TARAWNAH: We have seen just what happens at the hands of the Internet. We have witnessed the possibilities and seen them realized in countries like Tunisia and Egypt…
Peninsula Journalism Attack Resonates Regionally
MATT J. DUFFY: The ‘fourth-estate’ is crippled by lack of legal protection, and journalists unwilling to deal with the consequences of being critical argues the Peninsula – to almost universal agreement.
‘Red lines’ Attacked in post-revolution Egypt
M. LYNX-QUALEY: Victory was met with hopes that red lines had been blown away and a new era of artistic freedoms had begun. But the red lines may take a bit more rolling.
Another Blogger Held as Syria Tightens Grip
MICH CAFE, F.NAJIA: Syrian Military Security this week arrested another native blogger, Ahmad Abul-Khair, on his way back to Damascus from the coastal city of Banias.
Politics, Meddling and Al Jazeera’s Independence
STEVE ROYSTON: At one time or another, Al Jazeera has made enemies of Bahrain, Kuwait, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Iraq, but is that just the price of reporting ‘the truth’?
Tahrir and The ‘Liberation’ of Arabic Literature
M.LYNX QUALEY: “We had a psychological barrier – what I call ‘the policeman inside us’. That policeman was killed” on Tahrir Square.”
UAE Media Breaks Silence on Emirati’s Arrest
MATT J. DUFFY: The next move would be to follow up on the article. Interview Hammadi’s family, for instance. But, that’s probably asking too much…
Saudi Electronic Media Law Sparks Blogger Fears
ROB L. WAGNER: The Kingdom doesn’t yet require blogging licenses, but vague language in a new licensing law may hold surprises for Saudi bloggers.
Egypt’s Uncontrolled and Uncontainable Tweets of Rage
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Blocking Twitter won’t stop word getting out. You’re as well to try and stop grains of sand falling through marbles.