Surveillance and spamming — how the Syria’s embattled regime and its supporters battle protesters on social media. Jillian C York reports
The dark side of the Syrian internet
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CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa
Protesters still face challenges in post-revolutionary Egypt
In post-revolutionary Egypt, freedom of expression is yet to be a given. On 15 May, for instance, scores of protesters commemorating the Palestinian exodus of 1948 near the Israeli embassy were beaten and shot. At least 350 were injured and 160...
Iranian school girls talk openly
Eight years ago my colleagues and I set out to see what school life was like for 11-13 year olds around the world. I went to Iran, and spent several days with girls at a Tehran school. The building was a large house, once home to a wealthy Iranian...
Superman and other heroes
You may have seen Superman in action, flying in to join Iranian protesters on the streets of Tehran in the current 900th anniversary issue of Action Comics, its already being reprinted. Disappointingly, the superhero doesn't achieve much in...
Where do the dogs go?
I’ve just finished reading a piece on Global Voices about the controversial issue of owning a dog in Iran. With so many more fundamental freedoms curbed, you’d be forgiven for laughing this off. Last year an Iranian cleric issued a fatwa against...
An “Ordinary” Day in Damascus
Notes from Syria — SI reports from Syria’s capital
Laying propaganda to rest
At last night's UNESCO's 2011 World Press Freedom Day event, a distinguished panel examined the freedom to report in light of the Arab Spring. One of the panelists was Shahira Amin, the brave Egyptian news anchor who quit in protest at Mubarak...
Iran’s silenced workers make fresh May Day demands
Iranian workers are denied the basic right of assembly but each year they valiantly mark May Day. Iran’s labour movement has a long and courageous history: despite the fact that workers have no right to form unions or express their grievances, many...
Al-Jazeera suspends Syrian bureau in response to attacks
Al-Jazeera suspended its Arabic services in Syria yesterday (27 April) in response to attacks on its staff and government restrictions. The authorities have pressured Syrian nationals into resigning from the organisation and have prevented...
Bahrain: Four protestors sentenced to death
Yesterday (27 April) a Bahraini military court has sentenced four protestors to death and a further three to life in prison. The seven people were convicted of killing two policemen during protests in the country last month. While the foreign press...