Internet & Technology

An Egyptian revolution, unplugged

WASHINGTON (IPS) - Despite the Hosni Mubarak regime’s attempts at muzzling communication and dissent, and the reportedly government-sanctioned shutdown of Egypt’s last standing Internet service provider to individual users Monday, Egyptians are still managing to get their voices heard and mobilize – both through advanced technical workarounds and older, traditional technologies. 

Despite Israeli blockade, innovation thrives in Gaza



The relentless Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip has squeezed many things, but it hasn’t robbed people of their ability and desire to innovate and invent. At the Rashad al-Shawa cultural center in heart of Gaza City, dozens of local companies and individuals recently demonstrated hi-tech products and inventions at an exhibition sponsored by government and nongovernmental bodies. Rami Almeghari reports from the occupied Gaza Strip. 

Gaza's virtual connection to the rest of the world



GAZA CITY, occupied Gaza Strip (IPS) - “I’ve learned most of what I know about photo editing and graphic design via the Internet,” says Emad, 27-year-old filmmaker and editor. In Gaza, this sort of thing has become usual in a different way. “This program isn’t available here,” he says, smiling triumphantly as he finishes downloading the latest edition of an advanced video editing program. 

Institute for Palestine Studies commemorates Nakba on the Web



The Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS) has created a special on-line resource to commemorate the Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948. “1948: Sixty Years On …” draws on the Institute’s rich archives and its flagship Journal of Palestine Studies to provide wide public access to incisive articles, analyses, memoirs, detailed maps, and chronologies. These materials illuminate the events leading up to and culminating in the establishment of the state of Israel and the beginning of the Palestinian tragedy. 

Private TV and radio stations forced to pay massive license fees



For the first time since their launch following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1993 during the Oslo process, the private TV and radio stations across the Palestinian territories are at a turning point. The majority of these stations are threatened with closure, following a decision by the ministry of communications and information technology to force these channels to pay large fees to the government, with the threat of backdated payments being demanded also. Directors and owners of these channels were stunned by the decision, considered to be beyond their means. 

Middle Eastern-American comedians making Comedy Central's "The Watch List"



Can an Arab be funny? Can a Muslim tell a joke? Can an Iranian make you laugh? Find out on “The Watch List,” the groundbreaking new comedy show that will be available January 8, 2007 on Comedy Central’s Internet channel Motherload. This edgy comedy show features the country’s top Middle Eastern-American comedians performing stand up and sketch comedy. This is the only place where you can find out if “Arabs are the new blacks,” see a real virgin Palestinian-American Muslim comedian, get a taste of what its like to “fly while Muslim,” and find out if the President of Iran is high. 

Still Occupied: Campaign draws attention to Gaza's plight



Calling to the international community to get mobilised and bring the Israeli occupation to an end, Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights has launched an international campaign to demonstrate that the Gaza Strip remains under Israeli effective control despite its claims otherwise. The campaign comes one year after the completion of the Israeli Unilateral Disengagement from Gaza in September 2005. It aims to bring about more effective international public and government involvement in the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) in an effort to repair the consequences of prolonged infringements of international law. 

Israel's Foreign Ministry provides Free Internet Tool to online activists



Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs understands that today’s conflicts are won by public opinion. They mobilize pro-Israel activists to be active and voice “Israel’s side to the world.” A software company has developed The Megaphone desktop tool that sends desktop alerts on key articles on Israel and surveys, online polls where activists could click on the button to support Israel and click alerts to easily voice pro-Israel opinions. This tool helps activists to raise the profile of opinions on Israel. EI’s Arjan El Fassed finds this tool also useful for those who would like to see some fair and balanced reports on the Middle East conflict. Pro-human rights and pro-peace activists will find this a useful tool as well. 

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