“Silence” Leaves the UAE Vulnerable to its Critics
FRANCIS MATTHEW: Lack of political inclusion, and the lack of regular statements, offers an opening to criticism of the country. But this should not ignore its liberal social agenda.
Progress or Not? The ‘Digital Eid’ Has Arrived
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It seems that no element of life is safe from the encroachment of social media – not even sacred Eid customs
Dead Tweets: Citizen Journalists Pay the Price
MICH CAFE: With traditional media officially locked out of Syria since the start of the revolution there in March 2011, citizen journalism has taken over the mantle, at a great cost.
Defamation Case Awaits Shahrkani Hate Tweeters
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Her father ought not have a hard time winning cases against those posting false and defamatory information on Facebook and Twitter.
Wojdan’s ’90 Second Olympics’: A Game Changer
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Media reaction to Saudi women’s participation in the Olympics has been mixed but it’s marked a clear watershed.
Saudi Women In Olympics: Kingdom ‘Gets the Bug’
EMAN AL NAFJAN: The Olympics usually barely registers on Saudi consciousness. This time round, though, things are different
Surprise, Surprise: Salafis To ‘Embrace’ Democracy
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A surprising convert to the idea of democracy is Sheikh Salman al-Awdah, erstwhile moral guide to Osama bin Laden
Time To Stand Up and Fight for Internet Liberty
MICH CAFE: The democratic freedoms enabled by access to the internet are under threat from a variety of sources.
Israel Enlisting its Own Twitter Army
RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: Those who are really addicted to social media or are especially dedicated to spreading the views of the IDF can even reach the rank of Lieutenant-General.
Norah Al-Faiz: A Living Anomaly in the Kingdom
AHMED AL OMRAN: The controversy surrounding Norah Al Faiz’s wearing of the niqab seems endless. What’s the significance?
Now You Can ‘Social Media Engage’ With EIDA
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Ever entertaining the Emirates Identity Authority has now discovered a new fangled thing called ‘Social Media’.
Crackdown on Omani Online Community
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: A number of individuals have been arrested but it’s not clear what they’ve done and what the boundaries actually are.
Twitter: Shoddy Journalism on the Cheap
ALEXANDER MCNABB: When you’ve got people actually there tweeting, you don’t have to be there to report on it, do you?
FB in the M.E: Respect, Sensitivity, Slammer
ALEXANDER MCNABB: It’s all part of the Emirati culture of respect, which is also the reason why insulting someone here can land you in very hot water.
Time To Grow Up and Ditch The Technology
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: ‘My name is Susan and I’m a techno-holic’. I’m well on the way, though, to solving my problem
Manal’s Speech: Three Lines of Attack by Saudis
EMAN AL NAFJAN: The 17 minute speech that Manal Al Sharif delivered on receiving the Vaclav Havel Prize last week has unleashed a hail of vitriol
Facebook Value Endures Beyond IPO in Middle East
JUAN COLE: Facebook does not seem important in Egypt’s presidential race. You wonder if the young are interested: Most plausible candidates are rather ancient…
Enough Conflict: Time for Egyptians and Saudis To Talk
MANAR AMMAR, CGNEWS: The recent flare-up between Saudi Arabia was inflamed by online activists. It’s time for cool heads to prevail.
‘Poetry of the Taliban’: Worth All The Fuss?
M. LYNX-QUALEY: The editors surely anticipated – and welcomed – the storm that has erupted around publication of their collection
Online or Behind Closed Doors: The Big Saudi Discussion
M. LYNX-QUALEY: There’s liberation in discussing ideas online but also dangers. Where do young Saudis discuss the big issues?
