Stories about Middle East & North Africa from January, 2014
AB14: “We Must Stop Thinking That Technology Will Solve All of Our Problems”
The Arab Bloggers Meeting focused on working against censorship and surveillance, and the preservation of common bonds in a milieu that feels more and more fragmented each day.
Coursera Blocked in Syria — by US Sanctions [UPDATE]
The US federal government that has forced Coursera and other Massive Online Open Course providers to block access for users in sanctioned countries such as Syria and Iran.
Arab Bloggers Demand Release of Rights Activists in Syria
A statement released at the 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting participants, supporting the release of Razan Zaitouneh, a human rights lawyer and the co-founder of Syria's Violations Documentation Center.
Saudi Arabia Jails Palestinian Poet for ‘Atheism and Long Hair’
Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh is in a Saudi prison, allegedly for spreading atheism - and having long hair. Online networks are calling for his release.
GV Face: Live from the Arab Bloggers Meeting #AB14
GVers Advox Director Hisham Almiraat, GV MENA Region Editor Amira Al Hussaini, SMEX Co-Director Mohammed Najem and Berkman Fellow Dalia Othman share with us their insights from this remarkable event.
Statement: Release Alaa Abd El Fattah And All Unjustly Detained In Egypt
At the 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting in Amman, Jordan, representatives from the region released a a statement pressing for the freedom of currently imprisoned Egyptian blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah.
Next Week in Amman: 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting #AB14
Next week, bloggers, techies, activists and entrepreneurs from throughout the Middle East and North Africa will come together in Amman, Jordan for the 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting!
Award-Winning Egyptian Activists Receive One-Year Suspended Sentence
A report from this week's trial of Alaa Abd El Fattah, Mona Seif, and other activists accused of arson in what appears to be a politically motivated case.
Prison Flees: Reflections on Alaa, Activism, and Community
"Alaa reminded us how our encounter with technology became a way of living." Reflections from Lina Attalah on friend and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, currently in prison in Egypt.
Lebanon: SMEX Tracks Web Filtering Through Research, Crowdsourcing
New research from Social Media Exchange shows web blocking data from Lebanon -- and invites users to join a crowdsourcing effort to learn more about blocking across ISPs.
On Alaa, Learning, and the Struggle
"These friendships come in fragments, but they are sometimes the best we have." Reflections from Jillian York on friend and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, currently in prison in Egypt.
WikiLeaks Supporters Shocked by Visit With Syria's Assad
The view from down under: A late December meeting between Australia's Wikileaks Party and Bashar al-Assad has raised critical questions about the WikiLeaks Party and platform.
Egypt: The Muppets Intelligence Agency
In Egypt, a Muppet-like character is being accused of sending coded messages to terrorists. Amr Tarek explains why this puppet is on trial.
