24 June 2009

Stories from 24 June 2009

Qatar: Media Freedom Centre Head Resignation Mourned and Celebrated

After a tumultuous eight months as director-general of the nascent Doha Centre for Media Freedom, Robert Ménard announces his resignation. The centre, which will also lose three department heads, will continue to operate. Bloggers from Qatar weigh in. Doha bloggers, many of whom have been closely watching the DCMF's movements for signs that the region is finally moving toward media freedom, are expressing mixed emotions about this outcome - some, utterly delighted, while others, completely dismayed.

24 June 2009

Bahrain: The Word Is Out

Bahraini blogger Mohammed AlMaskati comments on how easy it is to get the ‘real’ news about Bahrain today, from outside the country at least: “A simple search for the word...

24 June 2009

Togo Abolishes Death Penalty

Togo's National Assembly voted on Tuesday to end the death penalty for all crimes, making it the 15th member of the African Union to abolish capital punishment.

24 June 2009

Dominican Republic: Against the Cement Factory in Los Haitises

Dominicans have been protesting against the proposed construction of a cement factory in the protected area of Los Haitises National Park. Citing the rich biodiversity in this ecosystem, many feel like the flora and fauna would be damaged and that there are other places where this development could take place. Those involved in the online campaigns have felt like celebrating when a judge ruled that the development should be suspended due to these concerns.

24 June 2009

Israel: Obama's Ratings Plummet in Jewish World

OneJerusalem.com and Jewlicious observe that American President Barack Obama's popularity ratings in the Jewish world have taken a significant dive since his Cairo speech and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's...

24 June 2009

Israel: Summer in Jerusalem

Summer in Jerusalem is best enjoyed from a bird's eye view, says the Jerusalem Gypsy blogger. “I… like rooftop anythings in Jerusalem. The air is cool at night and there...

24 June 2009

Pakistan: Rallying Against The Taliban

The Taliban presence in the tribal areas of Pakistan has been an issue of international concern in the War on Terrorism. In the aftermath of the 2007 siege of Lal Masjid,...

24 June 2009