Arab Citizen Journalism in Action: Challenging Mainstream Media, Authorities and Media Laws

Abstract

Arab citizens have adopted the blogging technology of the internet to create a venue for alternateviewpoints in a manner similar to their global counterparts. Initially a handful of bloggers, writingmostly in English and reflecting a Western flavour in their content, initiated the Arabblogosphere. They have since been joined by thousands of Arabic blogs. Their impact has beennoted, whether directly on politics and media or in their ability to enable civil society by providinginstant networking and expanding the space for freedom of expression. They have also created anunexpected challenge to their governments, causing inconsistent reactions. This article analyzesthe region’s laws, regulations and the methods used to govern those nationals who choose to jointhe growing number of global citizen journalists, and how they often learn to defy those rules.The primary focus has been the case of Egypt’s blogs due to their influential role in the regionalblogosphere.