Stories about Jordan from January, 2011
Arab World: New Media and the Egyptian Demonstrations
The Arab World is looking in awe at the developments unfolding in Egypt. Today, mainstream media is taking a back seat, while citizen media triumphs. Arab bloggers share their reflections...
Arab World: Palestinian “Abed Raboo goes for the Qatari Jugular”
The Palestinian Papers, a leak which contains more than 1,600 internal documents on a decade of peace talks with Israel, created a furore online, after being released by Qatar-based Al...
Arab World: Racism and the Slave's Head Candy Controversy
Are we - Arabs - racist? It's really hard to tell. Some might argue that racism is against our religion, and that people are never discriminated against because of their...
Jordan: Social Media Combats Deforestation Project
The Jordanian government scheduled the building of a new military academy within the Ajloun forest, one of Jordan's few remaining forested areas. Immediately, several pre-existing and ad hoc coalitions sprung...
Jordan: Debating the Country's Leadership
Blogging and Twitter conversations in Jordan have continued on from Jordan's Day of Anger on Friday January 14th, 2011, and subsequent protests. These events had demonstrators demanding the resignation of...
Arab World: Congratulations to Arabs Got Talents!
Arabs Got Talents debut on television drew enthusiasm and criticism from the crowd on Twitter, quickly becoming a trending topic. Here are some mixed reactions.
Libya: Gaddafi Wages War on the Internet as Trouble Brews at Home
Libyan leader Muammar Al Gaddafi managed to offend both Tunisians and netizens from across the world wide web in his address to the Tunisian people, following the fall of the...
Jordan: Reactions to Ben Ali's Removal from ‘Angry Jordanians’
Jordanians, who held their Day of Anger on the same day Tunisia's President Zainelabidine Ben Ali escaped from his country after month-long protests, reacted in celebration to the news. They...
Jordan: Day of Anger Protests
Inspired by protests in Tunisia, the Jordanian Twitter community rallied around a "Day of Anger," announced January 12th and held January 14th after Friday prayers. The rallies were held around...
Jordan: Tunisian Protests May Trigger More Agony for Arab Governments
As the violence in Tunisia continues, so have responses and expressions of support in Jordan. Many Jordanian tweeters have focused on criticism of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali....
Lebanon: Bloggers Support Tunisian Protests against “Arab Pinochet”
Lebanese bloggers have joined the chorus of concern over the Tunisian riots that have thus far claimed 24 lives. Sympathy and support is extended to the Tunisian youth protesting the...
Jordan: Solutions to Rising Sectarianism
A series of events in Jordan are raising concern of increased sectarianism between Jordanians of Transjordanian and Palestinian descent, as well as increased violence between tribes of Transjordanian origin. Betsy...
Arab World: “Stop Crying Over Sudan”
Today's independence referendum in Sudan has put the country on the radar in the Arabic twitterosphere. From Saudi Arabia to Palestine, Arab tweeps are discussing Sudan's unity, division and resources.
Jordan: Clashes Follow University Elections
The University of Jordan held university elections for its student government on Dec 21, 2010. Following reports of violence and election irregularities, the University promptly issued statements denying the clashes....
Jordan: Free Taher Nassar!
Tahir Nassar, a lawyer and former parliamentary candidate, was arrested and detained in a Jordanian prison on charges of “stirring up sectarian strife.” Nassar's offense was his election manifesto that...
Jordan: Twitter Reactions to Nine Per Cent Fuel Hike
Jordan's government announced year-end fuel price hikes. The cost of gas, referred to as benzine, was raised 9 per cent, while the price of diesel and kerosene was raised by...