21 Jan 2014 | Middle East and North Africa, News and features
A pro-democracy protest in Bahrain, where activists have been jailed for inciting protests through their online activities (Photo: Moh’d Saeed / Demotix)
One hundred and forty characters are all it takes.
Twitter users from Marrakech to Manama know—call for political reforms, joke about a sensitive topic, or expose government abuse and you could end up in jail. Following the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi and Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, authorities in Libya and Tunisia unblocked hundreds of websites and dismantled the state surveillance apparatus. But overall, internet freedom in the region has only declined in the three years since the Arab Spring as authoritarian leaders continue to crack down on any and all threats to their ever-tenuous legitimacy.
As the online world has become a fundamental part of Arab and Iranian societies, leaders are waking up to the “dangers” of social media and placing new restrictions on what can be read or posted online. This shift has been most marked in Bahrain, one of the most digitally-connected countries in the world. After a grassroots opposition group took to the streets to demand democratic reforms, authorities detained dozens of users for Twitter and Facebook posts deemed sympathetic to the cause. Similarly, several prominent activists were jailed on charges of inciting protests, belonging to a terrorist organization, or plotting to overthrow the government through their online activities.
Conditions in Egypt—where social media played a fundamental role in mobilising protesters and documenting police brutality—continued to decline over the past year. In only the first six months of Mohammad Morsi’s term, more citizens were prosecuted for “insulting the office of the president” than under Hosni Mubarak’s entire 30-year reign. Cases have now been brought against the same bloggers and activists that were instrumental in rallying the masses to protest against Mubarak (and later Morsi) in Tahrir Square, while countless others were tortured by Muslim Brotherhood thugs or state security forces.
Even in the moderate kingdoms of Morocco and Jordan, state officials are looking to extend their existing controls over newspapers and TV channels to the sphere of online media. Ali Anouzla, a website editor in Morocco, faces terrorism charges in the latest attempt by the state to silence him and his popular online newspaper, Lakome. Access to independent journalism is even worse in Jordan, where over 200 news sites have been blocked for failing to obtain a press license. The government instituted burdensome requirements in a bid to deter any views that counter the state-sponsored narrative.
If governments are beginning to pay attention, it is because online tools for social mobilisation and individual expression are having a profound impact. Social media accounts were set up for every candidate in Iran’s 2013 presidential elections, despite the fact that Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are all blocked within the country. In Saudi Arabia – which now boasts the highest Twitter and YouTube usage per capita of any country in the world – social media has been used to promote campaigns for women’s right to drive, to highlight the mistreatment of migrant workers, and to debate sensitive subjects such as child molestation. Citizen journalism was vital in documenting chemical weapons use in Syria, and a new online platform alerts local residents of incoming scud missiles. Nonetheless, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Syria rank as some of the least free countries in the world in terms of internet freedom according to Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net study.
Remarkably, the country that has made the most positive strides over the past three years, was once among the most repressive online environments in the region – Tunisia. Protest videos from the town of Sidi Bouzid led to an intense crackdown on online dissidents by the Ben Ali regime. Digital activists even enlisted the help of Anonymous, the hacktivist group, to rally international media attention, provide digital security tools, and bring down government websites. Since then, Tunisian authorities have ceased internet censorship, reformed the regulatory environment, and ceded control of the state-owned internet backbone. Tunisia is now the only country in the region to have joined intergovernmental group the Freedom Online Coalition.
So while the snowball effect of social media contributed to the overthrow of several despots, many of the region’s internet users conversely find themselves in more restrictive online environments than in January 2011. Authoritarian governments now know exactly what the face of revolution looks like and, over the past three years, have shown their commitment to counter the internet’s potential to empower citizens and mobilise opposition. Users in liberal democracies may joke about the insignificance of “liking” a post on Facebook or uploading a video to YouTube, but in a region where your social media activity can make you an enemy of the state, 140 characters can lead to serious repercussions.
This article was posted on 21 January 2014 at indexoncensorship.org
29 Jul 2013 | In the News
#dontspyonme
Tell Europe’s leaders to stop mass surveillance #dontspyonme
Index on Censorship launches a petition calling on European Union Heads of Government to stop the US, UK and other governments from carrying out mass surveillance. We want to use public pressure to ensure Europe’s leaders put on the record their opposition to mass surveillance. They must place this issue firmly on the agenda for the next European Council Summit in October so action can be taken to stop this attack on the basic human right of free speech and privacy.
(Index on Censorship)
MIDDLE EAST
Arab Spring will take time to flower: analysts
Disappointment over the lack of democratic progress in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya is understandable, but the so-called Arab Spring of 2011 will take time to mature, analysts say, warning that the process will be chaotic.
(Gulf News)
SOUTH AFRICA
Internet usage in South Africa hits 14 million mark
The internet usage has significantly grown in South Africa this year, already involving 14 million people, said a latest survey.
(Tech 2)
TUNISIA
In Turkey’s heartland, support for protest is thin
As Mohamed Brahmi becomes the second secular politician to be shot in Tunisia in the past six months questions are raised as to whether the Arab Spring has really made a difference
(Nouse)
BBC film reporter investigates rising power of Salafism in Tunisia
BBC Arabic documentary, The Battle for Bizerte, tells the inside story of a group of extremist Islamists known as Salafists in Bizerte, a Tunisian town on the Mediterranean sea, 60 kilometres from Tunis.
(Middle East Online)
TURKEY
In Turkey’s heartland, support for protest is thin
Weeks of anti-government protests in Istanbul’s Gezi Park and the squares in the capital of Ankara have not affected life here or in much of rural Turkey, where Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan enjoys solid support.
(USA Today)
Homophobic prejudices broken by Gezi incidents in Turkey
The Gezi protests have shown that society is much more aware about the rights of the LGBT community than Parliament, according to an activist. ‘Gezi did in three weeks what would have taken us three years,’ says Sedef Çakmak, adding that they have gained a lot of self confidence
(Hurriyet Daily News)
UNITED KINGDOM
Man held after banknote campaigner receives rape threats on Twitter
Police say man arrested on suspicion of harassment offences, after shadow minister criticises Twitter’s response to abuse
(The Guardian)
UNITED STATES
Gay Talk: Protecting Free Speech for Public School Teachers
In Garcetti v. Ceballos, the Supreme Court held that public employees are not entitled to free speech when speaking “pursuant to their official duties.” In most situations, this strips teachers of First Amendment protection when they discuss controversial subjects, such as homosexuality, with their students.
(Social Science Research Network)
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22 Jul 2013 | In the News
INDEX EVENTS
NSA, surveillance, free speech and privacy
Edward Snowden’s leaks about the US’s international mass surveillance programmes has prompted perhaps the definitive debate of our age: How free are we online? Can we ever trust technology with our personal details?
25 July, Time 6.30pm, Free, but RSVP required. Space is limited.
Doughty Street Chambers, WC1N
(More information)
EUROPEAN UNION
EU justice chief vows new data protection laws
A Pakistani human rights organisation has called for an investigation into an alleged “secret censorship deal” between the country’s government and Facebook. Sara Yasin reports
(Business Recorder)
CHINA
A good lesson in Hong Kong on the value of free speech
Mike Rowse sees a civics lesson in two recent debates of public issues
(South China Morning Post)
INDIA
Mysore MP questions credentials of people who misuse freedom of expression
Mysore MP A H Vishwanath on Sunday said freedom of expression is not intended to insult or undermine the historic personalities and litterateurs, media people and film producers should desist from using the names of great personalities to market their produces.
(Times of India)
LIBYA
Libya moves step closer to new constitution amid boycott by minorities
Abusahmain signs law on election of committee to draft new permanent constitution for Libya as ethnic minorities announce boycott.
(Middle East Online)
Hardliners’ pressure forces Libyan women’s football team to stop playing tournaments during Ramadan
Abusahmain signs law on election of committee to draft new permanent constitution for Libya as ethnic minorities announce boycott.
(truthdive)
RUSSIA
Russia’s Anti-Gay Crackdown
RUSSIA’S president, Vladimir V. Putin, has declared war on homosexuals. So far, the world has mostly been silent.
(The New York Times)
TUNISIA
Tunisia lifts travel ban on blogger
A Tunis judge lifted the travel ban against blogger and journalist Olfa Riahi, Tunisie Numerique reported on Saturday (July 20th).
(Magharebia)
TURKEY
In Turkey, Media Bosses Are Undermining Democracy
THE protests that convulsed Istanbul and other Turkish cities last month exposed, among many other things, the shameful role of Turkey’s media conglomerates in subverting press freedom.
(The New York Times)
Turkey bars protestors’ wedding party at park
Police on Saturday fired water cannon and tear gas in downtown Istanbul to disperse anti-government demonstrators after barring them from entering a park where they had hoped to celebrate the wedding of a couple who met during last month’s widespread protests.
(Missoulian)
Turkey loses guest of honor status to Vatican at Turin book fair
Turkey will not be the guest of honor at next year’s Turin International Book Fair, which will instead host the Vatican in an unexpected move by the fair’s organizers, Turkish news agencies reported over the weekend.
(Missoulian)
UNITED STATES
Diversionary Theatre’s Freedom of Speech: One Woman’s Cross Country Journey to Find Out What’s Going On
An artist in the complete sense, Eliza Jane Schneider, can do practically anything on stage-from singing, to playing an instrument, to doing a 180 from one character to the next. Showcasing her many talents, Schneider opened Freedom of Speech on July 11th at the Diversionary Theatre. It is a Moxie Theatre presentation, directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg.
(San Diego Free Press)
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17 Jul 2013 | In the News
INDEX EVENTS
18 July New World (Dis)Order: What do Turkey, Russia and Brazil tell us about freedom and rights?
Index, in partnership with the European Council on Foreign Relations, is holding a timely debate on the shifting world order and its impact on rights and freedoms. The event will also launch the latest issue of Index on Censorship magazine, including a special report on the multipolar world.
(More information)
19 July: What surveillance means to YOU
Join us 19 July for a live Google hangout with Index on Censorship as Trevor Timm of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Rebecca Mckinnon of Gloval Voices discuss what mass surveillance means to all of us as individuals. Hosted by Padraig Reidy of Index, the hour-long event will delve in the issues around government surveillance of innocent civilians.
(More information)
BURKINA FASO
Burkina Faso state media journalists protest censorship
In Burkina Faso, tens of journalists from state media today held a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Communications in the capital Ouagadougou to protest what they deem to be excessive government censorship of news coverage.
(CPJ Blog)
CHINA
Censorship in China is Deeper and More Insidious Than You Think
Despite a free-wheeling micro-blogging scene, traditional media sources still operate under heavy government constraints.
(The Atlantic)
JAPAN
Former premier sues Shinzo Abe for libel over Fukushima disaster
Prime minister says Kan’s instructions to dampen nuclear emergency were ‘made up’
(South China Morning Post)
LIBYA
Libya moves a step closer to new post-Gaddafi constitution
Libya’s national assembly passed a law on Tuesday providing for the election of a committee to draft a new constitution following the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
(Reuters)
RUSSIA
Russian senator officially demands ‘measures’ against ‘flagrant’, ‘privacy-breaching’ Google
A high-profile Russian lawmaker has lodged an official request with the general prosecutor to investigate Google’s activities in Russia, saying the web services company’s privacy policy “gravely violates the Russian constitution.”
(RT)
SRI LANKA
Sri Lankan film ban halts French festival, sparks anger
The Sri Lankan government’s decision to ban the acclaimed film, “Flying Fish” and halt the French film festival, where it was screened has sparked outrage in a country that’s no stranger to threats to free speech.
(France 24)
TURKEY
Turkey regulator to appoint two board members to Turkcell
Turkey’s Capital Markets Board will appoint two board members to Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS soon, Chairman Vahdettin Ertas told Turkish TV channel CNBCe Tuesday, after a series of failed annual shareholder meetings amid the long-running dispute over control of Turkcell.
(Total Telecom)
UNITED STATES
Emails show ex-Gov. Daniels sought to quash political opposition in Ind. schools
Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels pledged to promote academic freedom, not stifle it, when he became president at Purdue University in January.
(AP via Daily Reporter)
Advice column is free speech; Ky. psychology board overreaches
What do the Westboro Baptist Church, Larry Flynt and John Rosemond have in common? All have turned to federal courts to protect their First Amendment rights. Westboro and Flynt prevailed at the Supreme Court which ruled that, no matter how noxious or crude, protests at military funerals and Hustler satire are constitutionally protected forms of expression.
(Lexington Herald-Leader)
Terror Supporter May Have Free Speech Case
A man convicted of aiding al-Qaida can pursue claims that Uncle Sam has cut off his speech in prison, but he’ll face a heavy burden of proof, a federal judge ruled.
(Courthouse News)
‘Veterans’ Free Speech Trial Ends in Guilty Verdict, Followed by Dismissal of Charges
Judge Robert Mandelbaum covered all his bases with his verdict July 12 in the case of 12veterans and their allies arrested last Oct. 7 at New York City’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza.
(The Indypendent)
‘US citizen has no right to free speech?’ State Dept spokesperson
During a daily press briefing State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki was given a thorough grilling on the Snowden affair by journalists, including AP’s Matthew Lee and CNN’s Elise Labott and was left lost for words at almost every turn.
(RT)
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