Stories about Middle East & North Africa from December, 2010
Tunisia : “We Are Not Afraid Anymore!”
The year 2010 is coming to an end but Tunisia is shaken up by a social uprising that many bloggers hope will bring a decisive change in their country. Because of the Tunisian censorship of internet and the media, social media are heavily used to inform and organize the protests for 13 days now by using the hashtag #SidiBouzid. One main question stands out: Why are the protests in Tunisia not having the same echo as the protests in Iran? Additionally, why is censorship by China always discussed but the blackout by the police state of Tunisia never addressed?
Tunisia: Journalist Nebrass Hedhili Attacked during Uprising
Nawaat writes that journalist Nebrass Hedhili was physically abused by policemen not in uniform in the La Chebba center (fr). Nawaat also regularly updates a press review of the ongoing Sidi Bouzid uprising(fr).
Tunisia: The Cry of Protestors Echoes Around the World
The cries of Tunisians, protesting against corruption and joblessness for the past two weeks, is gathering momentum on the World Wide Web. Netizens from around the world are rallying behind them and echoing their calls.
Lebanon: Stop Honking
Lebanese drivers are renowned for ‘honking.’ Cal Perry tweets: “Dear #Beirut … honk more. Seriously … lay on that car horn more. I can't hear you.”
Algeria: What is Happening in Tunisia?
Algerian-American The Moor Next Door comments on the protests taking place in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. “Police have attempted to block media coverage of the riots (and that the rioting is isolated and being exaggerated by the opposition), but bloggers and activists have posted pictures and video of the disturbances on the Internet,”...
Algeria: Wikileaks and Israel
Khaled Mimoune, from Algeria, tweets (Ar): “Isn't it fishy that there are no Wikileaks documents exposing Israel's scandals?”
Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom in One Sentence
From Saudi Arabia, Mustafa Hussain tweets (Ar): “Unemployment, corruption, tribalism, weak education curricula, state-owned media, full prisons, bad government services, oil which is not its own – all this and more in Saudi Arabia.”
Lebanon: Not equal in life and in death
“Even after death, the Lebanese laws do not consider people equal…” states Rita Chemaly.
Lebanon: Year's Review of the Lebanese Blogosphere
Liliane, at Lebanon Aggregator, rounds up 2010 with facts and figures about the Lebanese Blogosphere. They include new blogs, the range of subjects covered, who turned their blogs into books, activities that bloggers participated in and much more.
Morocco: Young Talent Caught on Tape
Karim Boubker is a young Moroccan Vlogger and social media enthusiast. Here, he films a young musical talent he is fond of, Sarah Ariche.
Tragedy bookends Year 2010 for Francophone Citizen Media
It appears that tragedy will bookend yet another year rich in remarkable events in the world of francophone citizen media. The month of January set the tone with the fallout from the earthquake in Haiti and December saw the elections in Cote d'Ivoire take a dramatic turn. Here is the year 2010 reviewed through the lenses of francophone citizen media users.
Jordan: Sentencing of Critical Football Club President
Former Jordanian MP and Wihdat football club president Tareq Sami Khoury had been sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting and insulting a gendarme officer. Netizens react to the sentence.
Lebanon: One in Every Four Lebanese is on Facebook
Facebook users in Lebanon will soon reach 1 million, which means 1 out of 4 Lebanese currently has a Facebook account. That’s pretty good given that we have the fifth slowest Internet speed in the whole universe, says Rami at +961.
Lebanon: One Wig Stand for Cancer Awareness
One Wig Stand is an awareness project that shares the stories of women battling breast cancer in Lebanon. The author explains that the site is not a sappy one intended to make the reader cry or feel sorry. Rather, it’s goal is to inspire, lighten the mood and provide some helpful resources.
Morocco: The Minister Goes to Facebook
In a first of its kind, Moroccan minister for Youth Affairs and Sports offers to publicly exchange thoughts on his Facebook page, once every week, with fellow netizens, as reported by blogger BigBrother_ma [Fr].
Morocco: Rare Recording of Popular Jewish Song
Chris Silver, writing on Jewish Morocco, shares a rare recording in this post. It's a song by Haim Abitbol, from the time when Moroccan Jews performed popular music.
Iran: “Security forces broke passwords and control emails”
Moslehi, Iran's Minsiter of Intelligence, says [fa] that Islamic Republic's security forces brokes protesters’ passwods and control their emails.
Iran: Subsidies Cutback Causes Drastic Rise in Prices
Severe cutbacks on subsidies that have kept prices on many goods artificially low are feared to cause problems for many middle class and poor citizens in Iran.
Tunisia: Unemployed Man's Suicide Attempt Sparks Riots
An unemployed Tunisian set himself on fire in protest against his joblessness, sparking a wave of riots on the ground and solidarity and support on social networking platforms. While the fate of Mohamed Bouazizi, aged 26, from Sidi Bouzid, in southern Tunisia, remains unclear, Tunisian netizens ceased the incident to complain about the lack of jobs, corruption and deteriorating human rights conditions in their country.
Lebanon: Where the “presidency” checks your Gmail
Lebanese blogger Mir was surprised when she was alerted by Gmail of an unusual activity in her account; where an IP mapped to presidency.gov.lb accessed her account at 3am. She shared her story and a screen shot in this post.
UAE: Sensational Fountains
Do not miss the sensational fountains of Dubai which bristolg shared with us in the following video.
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
Mariam Abuadas is the editor for the Middle East & North Africa. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
