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Arabia
Arab world sees rise in bloggers
2006-11-13
Internet blogging has become increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia, giving many of the country's young people a new sense of freedom. The Washington Post reported on the rise of blogging in the Arab world, a place where Internet access has increased fivefold since 2000.
So from zero to what, exactly? Enough that they come visiting here, at least, looking to impress us.
Blogs have reportedly become popular forums across the Arab world as a place to share personal stories, have heated debates on political topics or religion or to share erotic fantasies. One popular female blogger who goes by the name of Mystique is well-known for her erotic fiction, the newspaper said.

Blogs, the Post reported, are serving as a way for modern Arabs to bypass the cultural restrictions they live under. Feminist blogs, where women share and rant about the restrictions put on them, are reportedly growing more popular. A small number of people in the Middle East have been jailed for blog content and some traditionalists are calling the new electronic media "dangerous."
As indeed it is to the ruling elites everywhere.
Posted by:trailing wife

#8  Mystique
Posted by: Chinter Flarong   2006-11-13 23:18  

#7  Well stated, a5089! JOE M FOR PREZ!
Posted by: BA   2006-11-13 15:17  

#6  Well, the arab world may have some hot bloggers, but the West has... Joe M.! Submit! Submit to the Power of the Cap!
Posted by: anonymous5089   2006-11-13 13:37  

#5  Pappy: "Great. Maybe we can trade our Dubai-based troll for a couple modern Arabs. I'd even throw in our San Jose-based whackjob as a freebie".

LOL!
Posted by: RD   2006-11-13 13:29  

#4  And yet no link to Mystique.
Posted by: Excalibur   2006-11-13 10:21  

#3  "traditionalists are calling the new electronic media "dangerous."
'As indeed it is to the ruling elites everywhere.'

Yep. Are ya listening, Washington? I suspect so - and watch for blog restrictions to come soon, in the form of regulation, taxes, fees, censoring, whatever.
Posted by: Glenmore   2006-11-13 09:08  

#2  Blogs, the Post reported, are serving as a way for modern Arabs to bypass the cultural restrictions they live under.

Great. Maybe we can trade our Dubai-based troll for a couple modern Arabs. I'd even throw in our San Jose-based whackjob as a freebie.
Posted by: Pappy   2006-11-13 00:54  

#1  A small number of people in the Middle East have been jailed for blog content and some traditionalists are calling the new electronic media "dangerous."

But ... but ... but ... How can you say that? Just look at what the Internet and personal computer did for the Soviet Union.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-11-13 00:07  

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