The internet revolutioniyed communication and mobilization also n the Arab world, away from mainstream media politics, business interests, corruption, lack of transparency and censorship.  Average access to internet by citizen in the Arab World  increased recently. Though in comparison to average global internet access it still  lacks concidemnakly behind. (compare Internet World Stats ). Nevertheless,  among young politically mobilzed people in Arab countires it became a main toll of communciation.   

Today, young bloggers became victims of state controll. According to the Committee to Protect Journalist CPJ   "Egypt is labelled as one of the 10 worst countries for bloggers and digital activists". Some blogges are detained, are arested without trial and harrased by the authorities.  ACcess to internet is restricted by the blog of internet pages, installation of filtrering systems and increased controll of internet users. Lately users are requested to register with personal contact information in internet cafes.  Hbs   is cooperating with digital acitivists and will organize another Arab blogger meetig in Beirut this year. 

Further background articles:

• Mapping the Arabic Blogosphere: Politics, Culture, and Dissent by Bruce Etling, John Kelly, Robert Faris and John Palfrey

• Blogging the new Arab world. The political impact of blogging  by Mary Lynch

• Content and Usage of Arabic Online Forums and Groups by Helmi Noman

• Historicizing Arab blogs: Reflections on the transmission of ideas and information in Middle Eastern history by Brian Ulrich