Cairo Free to Speak Debate

The World Service will air a debate on blogging in the Arab World on the 18th December.

It's at 1:06pm GMT and 6:06pm GMT.

Robin Lustig, who wrote the article that I've linked to, was the chair.

Much food for thought on how blogs help report news in intolerant countries.

As Robin Lustig's column says:

"In Egypt, bloggers can claim some successes: after they posted video images of police torturing detainees in custody, police officers were put on trial and jailed.

But one blogger has himself been jailed for insulting Islam, defaming President Hosni Mubarak, and "spreading information disruptive of the public order". Others face harassment and live in fear of arrest."

One wonders how Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale would read if Offred had blogged rather than taped her life.

Or if Winston Smith had posted about Ingsoc and his trysts with Julia.

An example of the dangers bloggers around the world face.

Amnesty International also has a report: Human Rights In The blogosphere.

If you know of a good blog from a repressive regime, post it below and I'll link to it.