Bloggers Changing the Face of News in the Middle East
“So are the “new media” – blogs, websites, chatrooms – now becoming the only truly independent media in the Arab world?”
This article is from today’s BBC News in Depth:
New media dodge Mid-East censors
By Robin Lustig
BBC radio presenter
It’s never easy writing about media freedom.
Even in countries where there is no official censorship, all reporters know there will always be some restraints on what they can say – editors need to be persuaded, owners need to be kept happy, the law has to be obeyed.
Where there is official censorship – where, for example, it is a crime to “bring the government into disrepute” or to publish material which “insults the dignity of the head of state” – the problems are all the greater.
No freedom is absolute, yet some media are a great deal freer than others.
In the Arab world, in general, the media have been heavily politicised.
Governments have tended to control the main media outlets – the main daily newspaper, the main TV and radio networks – and where independent media have been allowed, they have often been owned by opposition parties or by businesspeople with clear links to political organisations. (The establishment of the Qatar-based al-Jazeera TV news station was a rare special case.)
But then, one day, along came the internet. And it was as if someone had blown open a few million doors.
Egyptian successes
Now, everyone can write – weblogs, or blogs, were born, giving everyone with access to the internet exactly the same opportunity to write and publish as the most powerful media tycoon.
You can read the rest of this article by clicking here, on BBC News.
16 Comments »
Leave a reply to GreY Cancel reply
Recent Comments
intlxpatr on Give to Those Who Ask ExpatAlien on What Country am I Living … intlxpatr on Yellowstone: Old Faithful to C… Michelle on Yellowstone: Old Faithful to C… Cathy on No Grown-Ups in Charge Wikipedia Donate Button
Amazina
Early Voting in Florida
Here There and Everywhere 
I LOVE BLOGGING!
Totally, its not the only independent media though. Well it is for now but its simply the start
As the population simply gets more and more educated, I think we’ll see more independent media outlet.
This requires an alteration to the culture, but oh its gonna happen. You can bet on it
and when it happens its gonna be sweeet š
You rock the blog world, Chicki!
I agree, Kaos. We are watching some amazing transformations taking place, and some I think we are barely aware of. I like to try to pay attention, which is why I publish these articles. It’s all happening worldwide, too. Sweet. š
I hope BBC doesnt read my blog or else they will change the story !
yes thats old news
i have once heard that it was prophesized that at the end of times scores of people will contribute to written literature
i have yet to confirm that
GreY – LLLOOLLL – You are getting close to being a Daddy!
Error – I had not heard that about the end of times. If you can find a source, would you let me know?
Went to Wikipedia, searched through early Jewish, Christian, Mormon and Jehovah Witness predictions, can’t find it.
Looked at Islamic predictions for the end of times – WHOA! I think we’re there.
The Minor Signs of the Last Day
by Mohammed Ali Ibn Zubair Ali
Qiyamah will come when…
Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (R.A.) narrates that Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhii Wassallam) said, “Qiyamah will come…
* When it will be regarded as a shame to act on Quranic injunctions.
* When untrustworthy people will be regarded as trustworthy and the trustworthy will be regarded as untrustworthy.
* When it will be hot in winter (and vice versa).
* When the length of days is stretched, i.e. a journey of a few days is covered in a matter of hours.
* When orators and lecturers lie openly.
* When people dispute over petty issues.
* When women with children come displeased on account of them bearing offspring, and barren women remain happy on account of having no responsibility of offspring.
* When oppression, jealousy, and greed become the order of the day.
* When people blatantly follow their passions and whims.
* When lies prevail over the truth.
* When violence, bloodshed and anarchy become common.
* When immorality overtakes shamelessness and is perpetrated publicly.
* When legislation matters pertaining to Deen is handed over to the worst elements of the Ummat, and if people accept them and are satisfied with their findings, then such persons will not smell the fragrance of Jannat.
* When the offspring become a cause of grief and anger (for their parents).
The following is part of a lengthy Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood (R.A.) when he inquired from Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) about the Signs of Qiyamah.
* Music and musical instruments will be found in every home.
* People will indulge in homosexuality.
* There will be an abundance of illegitimate children.
* There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, back- biters and taunters in society.
* People will establish ties with strangers and sever relations with their near and dear ones.
* Hypocrites will be in control of the affairs of the community and evil, immoral people will be at the helm of business establishments.
* The Masjid will be decorated, but the hearts of the people will be devoid of guidance.
* The courtyards of Masjids will be built beautifully and high mimbars (pulpits) will be erected.
* Gangsters and evil people will prevail.
* Various wines will be consumed excessively.
Auf bin Malik (R.A.) says: I came to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) while he was in his skin tent during the Tabuk expedition. He said to me, “Count six things before the advent of Qiyamah:
1 My death
2 The conquest of Jerusalem
3 Mass deaths amongst you people, just as when sheep die in large numbers during an epidemic
4 Abundance of wealth to such an extent that if a person were to be given a hundred Dinars he will still not be satisfied
5 General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it
6 Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar
(Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an army of twelve thousand men.” (Hadith: Sahih Bukhari).
IRAQ and SYRIA
Abu Nadhrah says: “We were sitting in the company of Jabir bin Abdullah (R.A.) when he said: ‘Soon the people of IRAQ will neither receive any food (grain) nor any money.'” We asked, “Why would such a thing happen?” He replied, “Because of the non-Arabs.” (i.e they will prevent food from going into Iraq, in the form of “sanctions” to this day.) He then said: “Soon the people of Shaam (SYRIA) will neither receive any money nor grain.” We asked as to why this would happen. He replied: “Because of the Romans (christians).”
yeah media is going freely more and more long time ago they were fighting us becouse of our opinions but now its going easy with us
sorry about my english
End of times…can’t say much about it, but in the Mayan calendar it says a spectacular event will happen somewhere in December of 2012(which could be the end of the world too!)
http://www.levity.com/eschaton/Why2012.html This article was published long back, and many can be found by doing a Google search(strange,isn’t?!?)
sure will do
Interesting how the Qatari spin machine ( Al Jazeera) is perceived by many as being autonomous!
Middle East – your English is fine. It’s the thought that counts, on HT&E
End of times predictions are fascinating, aren’t they, Joel?
You know me, Error, it will bug me until we find the source!
Beautiful Liar – More than a little ironic. They DO have some autonomy, I think, and also are useful, like CNN.
yup confirm its called “ŁŲ“Ł Ų§ŁŁŁŁ ” pronounced “fesho al qalam” roughly translates as rampant pen or out of control writers.
“qalam” literally mean pen
Thank you, Error. It’s fascinating, especially in conjunction with the other predictions. Where did you find It?
Agreed, Seattle mama but the litmus test for them would have been to call it like it really was when the Qatar royal family made a right royle farce over seating arrangements in a commercial airplane in Milan, last summer.
Oh, wait that or when the present head of state had ousted the ex in a bloodless coup some years back. We are never going to find out how objectively and freely would AL Jazeera have been able to handle that situation.
Hey, BL, nice to see you! Ouch! Your insights have a sharpness I lack! You know the Emir has re-united with his father, and his father is living back in Qatar now, but without access to the royal treasury? š