Stories about Feature from December, 2008
Iran: A Long and Painful Story of Jailed Bloggers
Iranian blogger and journalist, Omid Reza Mirsyafi, was sentenced [fa]to two and a half years of prison this week. He stands accused of insulting religious leaders, and engaging in propaganda against the Islamic Republic. Over the past 5 years, several bloggers in Iran have faced jail and persecution because ...
Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Syria Prevent blogger and journalists from Attending Free Press Conference in Beirut
One blogger, two journalists, and one online writer were prevented from traveling to Beirut, Lebanon, to attend the 3rd Arab Free Press Forum that took place on 12 and 13 December, 2008 Saudi Arabia prevented the leading Saudi blogger, Fouad Al Farhan, from attending the event where he was scheduled to take part in a panel entitled “The Changing face of Arab blogging“.
Egypt: Police Continue to Harrass Bloggers and Activists
Egyptian bloggers, who sometimes double as activists, continue to face the wrath of officials, and are being targeted in the latest attempt by officials to crackdown on humanitarian support to a besieged Gaza. Noha Atef, from Egypt, updates us on developments on that front.
Cuba: Government Officials Tell Bloggers to Cancel Planned Meeting
A Cuban blogger meet-up scheduled for December 6 is in danger of being cancelled by the authorities. The event, which has been in the planning stage for months and had 25 confirmed attendees, is being deemed “counterrevolutionary.” This is according to a recent conversation between officials from the Interior Ministry and one of the island's most well-known bloggers Yoaní Sánchez of Generación Y, who was one of the bloggers recently summoned to the local police station.
Croatian man arrested for creating a Facebook Group against Prime Minister
Niksa Klecak, the 22 -year-old Croatian who created an anti-PM Facebook Group “I bet I will find 5,000 people who do not like the Prime minister” [Ivo Sanader], has been arrested for allegedly promoting neo-Nazi materials. The police claimed that they found some Nazi symbols and propaganda at his home. Niksa Klecak has been then released by the police due to lack of evidence.
Egypt: Conference to Call for Blogger Release; Another Held in a Military Camp
Egyptian cyberactivists are gathering for a conference being held in Cairo tomorrow (December 4), to call for the release of young Egyptian blogger Mohamed Adel. Meanwhile, blogger Mohamed Khairi, is being held in a military camp.
