Arab States to Tighten Media Controls, Focus on Internet ………
“Jordan plans to tighten control of websites and blogs that cover the news. Government officials claimed that the proposed laws do not aim at restricting the freedom of expression on the internet but to find a legal umbrella for the tens of websites and blogs. Most bloggers believe this is a step to restrict their freedom. Newspapers in Jordan are restricted by the by the Print and Publications Law in what they can publish…….”
They already are squeezing bloggers who get out of line. In almost all Arab counties, bloggers can risk prosecution, fines, and prison for publishing material that the rulers do not like. There have been many reports especially about Egyptian, Saudi Arabian, and Jordanian bloggers spending long periods in prison. This is happening in Syria as well, although to a lesser extent perhaps because there is less access- or maybe we don’t read as much about it.
Arab governments have been grappling for some time with ways to control the newer media like the satellite television networks and the internet. They have tried collective work, perhaps because it will be easier to weather international criticism as a group.
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