Egypt: See no strikes, hear no strikes, report no strikes

Posted on 2/07/2009

Hundreds of workers at a local factory have been on strike since the end of May, demanding an increase in salaries and back pay that has not been given. On Tuesday, the Egyptian state security reared its ugly head when a foreign journalist attempted to cover the strike.
(fetching community info ...)
Detained Egyptian blogger: "I think someone set me up" egypt wael abbas.preview_0.jpg 
Posted on 01/07/2009 - 16:22
On Tuesday morning prominent Egyptian blogger and human rights activist Wael Abbas was detained by security officers at Cairo airport for more than 13 hours as he was returning from a conference in Sweden. His laptop remains confiscated by Egypt's anti-piracy authority. Abbas told MENASSAT upon his release that he thinks he was "set up."
Mauritanian printing press on the verge of collapse | Part One Mauritania Printing Press 
Posted on 30/06/2009 - 16:14
Mauritania's only printing press could be on the verge of collapse. Some media workers fear this will be the end of print journalism in the country as many newspapers are being forced to resort to cut-and-paste journalism. Mohammad Salem reports.
Tunisian expatriates fight for their right of return Tunis International Organization for Tunisian Migrants 
Posted on 30/06/2009 - 14:41
On Tuesday June 23, three Tunisian rights activists were attacked in Tunis on their way back from the founding conference of the International Organization of Tunisian Migrants in the Swiss capital, Geneva. Rights groups said the attack was meant to be a warning for an organization putting pressure on the Tunisian government to pardon political refugees in exile.
Sarkozy’s Burka row stirs debate France Burkaa' homepage picture 
Posted on 29/06/2009 - 16:06
In a recent speech, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that the body-length garment worn by some Muslim women - the Burka - is not welcome in France. Sarkozy’s remarks have sparked strong reactions from Muslim communities around the world and some rights groups believe that banning the Burka is a breach of freedom of choice. MENASSAT takes a look at some of the responses in the Arab press and blogosphere.
Between professionalism and consumerism in Egypt - training the Arab media sana al3.jpg 
Posted on 27/06/2009 - 10:11
Although Arab universities acknowledge the growing influence of new media and have expanded communications departments throughout the Arab world, journalist-training programs for young Arab reporters are scarce, and existing journalist-training programs are often funded and run by non-Arab organizations. Ismail Alexandrani looks at two recent programs in Egypt.
"Politics, culture, and dissident:" New study maps out trends in Arab blogosphere Harvard's map of the Arab blogosphere  
Posted on 26/06/2009 - 14:28
The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University has published an analysis of the Arab blogsphere, studying the views of Arab bloggers across the Middle East on issues such as media, politics, religion, culture, and international affairs.
Chiclets and clothes pegs: "Going back to my Beirut roots" Lebanon Pop Art Houssam Bokeili Clothes Pin 
Posted on 25/06/2009 - 15:58
In a new exhibition, Lebanese artist Hossam Bokeili recalls his Beirut childhood memories through memorabilia portrayed in a pop-art style . MENASSAT met with the artist during his Beirut installation.
MAURITANIA: Controversial opinion writer jailed for writing about presidential candidate Hanafi Mauritania.jpg 
Posted on 25/06/2009 - 15:27
Considered one of the most vocal critics of the Mauritanian regime, dissident writer Hanevy Ould Dahah was jailed last week and charged with defaming Mauritanian presidential candidate Sar Ibrahima Mokhtar. MENASSAT's Mohammad Salem looks at the controversial arrest and what is being done to free Ould Dahah.
Iran’s democracy in the eyes of the Arab world 6a00d8341cc90353ef0115701d5913970c.jpg 
Posted on 24/06/2009 - 17:52
The sentiments in the Arab world regarding Iran are often ridden with tense undertones, as the Shiite-Sunni dichotomy and the history of this division is never exempt from the political speech in the Middle East. Also considering the recent "moderate/radical" schism in the region, SASEEN KAWZALLY looks at what the Arab media has to say about the ongoing protests in Iran.
Citizen media takes the stage as protests continue in Iran Int'l Herald Tribune Cartoon 
Posted on 23/06/2009 - 16:39
With foreign media expelled from Iran, and local journalists being targeted, citizen journalists are becoming vital in covering the situation on the ground. MENASSAT interviewed Magda Abu-Fadil, Director of the Journalism Training Program at the American University of Beirut (AUB), to discuss what this means for the future of journalism.
From journalism to the Parliament, Lebanese merge media and politics okab sakr.jpg 
Posted on 23/06/2009 - 01:05
In a country driven by the intersection of media and politics, MENASSAT's Saseen Kawzally takes a closer look at three journalists who recently won seats in Lebanon's June 7 parliamentary elections. Is there such thing as a journalist-politician?
Iranians in the Arab world respond online Twitter-Infidel.jpg 
Posted on 22/06/2009 - 23:11
Iranian authorities have continued their clampdown on information as the demonstrations in Iran enter their second week. MENASSAT looks at how Iranians living in Arab countries are increasingly relying on alternative sources of news from social networking sites and blogs to keep tabs of unfolding events.