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Columbia Journalism Review content tagged Arab Spring

1. October 21, 2011 04:52 PM

   A Grand Year for Free Speech

   Gaddafi’s death just one indicator of the global surge in free expression

   By Justin D. Martin

   Not since the disintegration of the Soviet Union have so many opponents of free expression quickly fallen from executive power. Countries like Tunisia and Libya weren’t just unwelcoming to journalists; these countries were routinely listed as among the worst places on earth for those looking to report the truth. Merely alluding to Gaddafi’s brutality could leave a journalist with a...

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2. June 1, 2011 01:03 PM

   A Look at the Arab Blogosphere

   Birth pangs of a new Middle East?

   By Bilal Lakhani

   Many of the estimated 35,000 bloggers in the Arab world have carved out reputations as online watchdogs on governments, in countries where there have been few public avenues for state accountability. Many were also credited with playing an important role in triggering the Arab spring of 2011—including the downfall of some governments and strong pressure for reform within others. But...

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3. July 6, 2011 05:00 PM

   Arab Spring to Arab Summer

   World Conference showcases science journalism in Middle East

   By Curtis Brainard and Cristine Russell

   Doha, Qatar—The Arab Spring that toppled governments in North Africa and the Middle East turned into an Arab summer for science journalism, as more than 700 attendees from ninety countries gathered for four days last week in this Persian Gulf city to discuss the importance of covering science in a rapidly changing world and the crucial role of a free...

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4. July 11, 2011 02:00 PM

   Growing Science in the Desert

   Several Middle Eastern countries are pouring money into research; will it work?

   By James Fahn

   Doha, Qatar—“Water flows uphill toward money and power,” said hydrologist Tony Allan, citing a political truism during a talk here at the recent World Conference of Science Journalists. Can the same be said for scientific research? Several Middle Eastern countries are pouring money into new research centers and ventures, hoping to make science bloom in the desert and bear fruits...

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5. July 18, 2012 06:50 AM

   In Egypt, new newspapers and old problems

   Citizens need good journalism to explain confusing times, but many Egyptians don't trust their media

   By Jared Malsin

   CAIRO, EGYPT — Egyptian newsstands today offer a lively range of options, including three government-owned papers, papers affiliated with political parties, and several privately-owned papers, some of which sprung up since the 2011 uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak. Since only 30 percent of Egyptians have access to the Internet, according to 2011 figures, newspapers, along with television and radio,...

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6. May 10, 2011 04:05 PM

   In Singapore, Social Media Aids Another Political Shift

   By Shibani Mahtani

   This past weekend was a historic one for Singapore, the small southeast Asian city-state that often escapes the attention of the world’s press, unless its rulers are threatening them with libel. On Saturday, Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) was dealt a small but sharp blow. While the PAP held on to power by winning 81 of the 87 elected...

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7. May 5, 2011 10:30 AM

   Lawrence Pintak on the Arab Media Revolution: A CJR Podcast

   By The Editors

   “Autocratic Arab governments have long controlled news and information with an iron hand, writes Lawrence Pintak in the cover story of CJR’s May/June issue. “No more. They try to do so in 2011, but competing versions of reality seep in—and out—through every electronic pore.” In this podcast, Pintak expands on his cover story, “Breathing Room: Toward a new Arab media”...

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8. March 25, 2011 01:17 PM

   Libya and the Arab Street

   What do ordinary Arabs think? Let’s ask them

   By Michael Massing

   On Wednesday, I went to hear Ayman Mohyeldin, the Cairo correspondent for Al Jazeera English, speak at the office of the Committee to Protect Journalists. His subject was the risks and realities of covering the Mideast, and at one point he was asked to reflect on the current situation in Libya. In his answer, he said something that stunned me:...

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9. February 15, 2012 01:05 PM

   Story on Tiny Country A Giant Failure

   60 Minutes whiffs on recent story about Qatar

   By Justin D. Martin

   A recent 60 Minutes segment on the nation of Qatar was the most imprecise piece of journalism I can remember in the more than 20 years I’ve been watching the show. Bob Simon, who was assigned to the story, couldn’t even pronounce the name of the country correctly. When pronounced ka-taar, the word is close to the Modern Standard Arabic...

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