M.-Lynx-Qualey

Leading Syrian Writers and Artists Under Attack

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

 Common Ground News Service

New Media Law A Major Step Forward for Iraq

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.

 Crossroads Arabia

Censorship Begins at Home – Politics & Table Manners

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.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Censors ‘Making a Comeback’ in Tunisia and Egypt

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.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Leaders Losing Battle to Control the News

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.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Gulf Government Silence Speaks Volumes

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?

 Matt J. Duffy

Newspapers Inconsistent Over Blogger Arrests

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.

 Matt J. Duffy

UAE Newspapers & the Self Censorship Debate

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.”

 Matt J. Duffy

The Real Damage of Vanity Fair’s Attack on Dubai

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…

 Naseem Tarawnah

New Urgency For Anti Cyber Censorship Day

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…

 Matt J. Duffy

Peninsula Journalism Attack Resonates Regionally

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.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Red lines’ Attacked in post-revolution Egypt

‘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.

 Mich Cafe

Another Blogger Held as Syria Tightens Grip

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.

 Steve Royston

Politics, Meddling and Al Jazeera’s Independence

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’?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Tahrir and The ‘Liberation’ of Arabic Literature

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.”

 Crossroads Arabia

Paper View: Arab Media at a Turning Point

Paper View: Arab Media at a Turning Point

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The passion for journalism remains, but today’s younger generation of aspiring journalists would be more picky as to where they would work…

 Matt J. Duffy

UAE Media Breaks Silence on Emirati’s Arrest

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…

 Rob L. Wagner

Saudi Electronic Media Law Sparks Blogger Fears

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.

 Rania Al Malky

Lies, Damned Lies: Behind Egypt’s Disinformation

Lies, Damned Lies: Behind Egypt’s Disinformation

RANIA AL MALKY: You can’t fool all the people all the time. The hawks of Egypt’s current regime should have learned this lesson over the past 11 days.

 Alexander McNabb

Egypt’s Uncontrolled and Uncontainable Tweets of Rage

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.