Middle East & North Africa

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14 February 2012

Iran: Journalists Threatened by Email “You Will be Punished”

Written by Fred Petrossian · Arrest and Harassment

Several Iranian activists and journalists have received an email threatening that they will be punished according to the “Islamic Punishment” law of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

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8 February 2012

Morocco: Busted for Posting Caricatures of the King on Facebook

Written by Hisham Almiraat · Advocacy, Arrest and Harassment

On February 7, 2012, Walid Bahomane appeared before a court in the Moroccan capital Rabat. The 18-year-old is accused of “defaming Morocco's sacred values” by posting pictures and videos on Facebook mocking king Mohammed VI of Morocco.

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7 February 2012

Iran: Innovations in Cyber Dictatorship

Written by Fred Petrossian · Arrest and Harassment

In the latest examples creative repression over the internet, the Islamic regime has used Skype as a long-distance interrogation tool, and wrested control over a Facebook group for photos of hot guys and girls from its administrators.

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6 February 2012

Oman: Blogger Muawiya Alrawahi Detained

Written by Ayesha Saldanha · Arrest and Harassment

It has been reported on Twitter that outspoken Omani blogger Muawiya Alrawahi, known for his controversial ideas, has been detained because of a blog post and some tweets in which he criticised Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of Oman.

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2 February 2012

New Book on Global Struggle for Internet Freedom

Written by Bernardo Parrella · Advocacy, activism

How do we ensure the Internet develops compatibly with democracy? And how do we become active “netizens” who take responsibility for our digital future? This is the subject of Rebecca McKinnon's new book: "Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle For Internet Freedom."

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9 January 2012

2011: A Year of Triumphs and Struggle for Bloggers in the Middle East and North Africa

Written by Jillian York · Advocacy

With all of the social media successes throughout the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, it would be all too easy to overlook the struggles faced by bloggers and netizens throughout the region. But with 126 netizens imprisoned, it would be a travesty.

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4 January 2012

Will Iran Soon Have Its Own “Clean Internet”?

Written by Fred Petrossian · law, regulation

The Iranian regime may be losing its battle to filter content on the internet, but meanwhile it is trying news things - from slowing down internet speeds, to developing a so-called "national internet" or "clean internet".

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