InfoAnda - Bloggers test boundaries in Saudi Arabia

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Spanish judge keeps Guantanamo probe alive | International | | 17 April 2009
Carnival sued by crew member over cruise ship disaster | | 27 January 2012
Four U.N. staff killed in Kabul; blasts rock hotel | International | | 28 October 2009

US diplomat leaves for Asia | 19 August 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Bloggers test boundaries in Saudi Arabia | Technology |

My Profile Top News Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day. Subscribe You are here: Home > News > Technology > Article Home Business & Finance News U.S. Politics International Technology Internet Entertainment Sports Lifestyle Oddly Enough Health Science Special Coverage Video Pictures Your View The Great Debate Blogs Weather Reader Feedback Do More With Reuters RSS Widgets Mobile Podcasts Newsletters Your View Make Reuters My Homepage Partner Services CareerBuilder Affiliate Network Professional Products Support (Customer Zone) Reuters Media Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Bloggers test boundaries in Saudi Arabia Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:45pm EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Asma Alsharif JEDDAH (Reuters) - Armed with a computer, an internet connection and his own intellect Ahmed Al-Omran is one of a few Saudi bloggers trying to push for change and make themselves heard in the conservative Gulf Arab monarchy. Blogging provides a rare platform for speech in a country which has no elected parliament, where clerics have strong influence on public opinion, newspapers often parrot the official line and public demonstrations are banned. "I want to do this because I want to be part of the change that is taking place in the country, I want to push for the changes to go faster," said Omran, a student who writes on his Saudi Jeans blog (saudijeans.org). King Abdullah has tried cautious reforms since taking office in 2005 and removed two hardline clerics from top positions in a cabinet reshuffle in February while promoting reformers. Saudi Arabia recently allowed foreign media to expand their presence in the kingdom and the new information minister even signed up for his own facebook page, but analysts and diplomats say conservatives remain wary of changes. "In the end, we care about something, we desire something and through blogging we call for the change. We ask for it. We sponsor it," Fuad Alfarhan said in a rare gathering of bloggers in Jeddah, the kingdom's most liberal city. "Now for the first time we, as individuals in our society, have this power in our hands to call for change," Alfarhan told the meeting which was meant to encourage bloggers to continue despite difficulties. PROBLEMS Farhan himself has not resumed blogging since he was arrested in 2007 and held for five months after campaigning on behalf of nine detained reformers. He was released without charges. Saudi researchers say there are up to 10,000 blogs in the kingdom. But many are now inactive or have refrained from discussing politics since Alfarhan's arrest. Many blogs also steer clear of Islam, a sensitive issue, focusing more on daily life and challenges for society. "Alfarhan's incident showed that there are red lines that are not known," said Khaled al-Nasser, another blogger. Abdulrahman al-Hazza, spokesman for the information ministry, said blogs were generally not monitored. But bloggers are worried about a law enacted earlier this year under which anyone who "touches upon the general order, religious values, or general conduct" can be prosecuted, according to the information ministry. "Anyone can accuse me of that," said Omran. "My only fear is if the government would use the law against people who want to express themselves freely online. It could be used as a scare tactic." Continued... View article on single page Share: Del.icio.us Digg Mixx Yahoo! Facebook LinkedIn Next Article: News Corp won't buy Twitter, won't sell MySpace also on reuters Commentary: For Palin, rules have never applied Google CEO to discuss his role on Apple's board Video Video: H2-No: Town bans bottled water sales More Technology News Big media seek 21st century business models North Korea army behind South web attack: report | Video Power.com countersues Facebook over user data Google CEO to discuss his role on Apple's board | Video Apps a nail in coffin of broadcast mobile TV More Technology News... Editor's Choice Slideshow A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow Most Popular on Reuters Articles Video Ryan Reynolds cast as "Green Lantern" UPDATE 1-Jackson's dad suspects "foul play" in death Obama tells pope he wants to reduce abortions in U.S. | Video CORRECTED - Obesity emerges as new risk factor for severe flu Wall St Week Ahead: Bank earnings, data to call shots for stocks Berlin 'sex academy' offers tips for visitors Goldman Sachs profit bonanza could stoke anger GM exits bankruptcy | Video Drunk badger disrupts traffic Americans swap homes for hotels as recession bites Most Popular Articles RSS Feed Video Obama arrives in Ghana Geithner: get tough on derivatives Bull gores man to death in Pamplona Pope, Obama meet Obama's tough talk on Iran Pamplona bull runner dies Carla Bruni sees L'Aquila face-lift Judging Sotomayor G8 pledge billions in farm aid Troops control China's trouble spot Most Popular Videos RSS Feed We want to hear from you Join the Reuters Consumer Insight Panel and help us get to know you better Please take a moment to complete our survey Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Labs | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers International Editions: Africa | Arabic | Argentina | Brazil | Canada | China | France | Germany | India | Italy | Japan | Latin America | Mexico | Russia | Spain | United Kingdom | United States Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Saturday, 11 July 2009
Taliban losing, says Britain as troop toll rises
British PM's Afghanistan warning as death toll surpasses Iraq
Six security personnel killed in Pakistan: officials
Israel must keep much of Golan
West Bank should not be 'Judenrein': Israel PM
Worst violence since US pullback hits Iraq
Bombs kill 50 in Iraq as violence flares
Hundreds protest in Iran, defying crackdown vow
Bomb attacks kill 52 in Iraq
Afghan truck bomb kills 25: police
France ends search for Brazil flight box signals
China raises Xinjiang death toll to 184 | International |
US-TECH Summary
Reborn GM vows to rev up as new company
Honduras rivals agree more talks to pursue solution | International |
Medvedev backs away from joint WTO bid
North Korea army behind South web attack: report
Eight British troops killed in Afghanistan | International |
Father jailed in Germany for pimping daughter
Shrinking US trade gap seen as positive for economy
U.S. drone strike kills 5 militants in Pakistan | International |
Low-cost online computer gaming surges in US
Spaniard gored to death in Pamplona bull run
Canada examines cancer risks of diabetes drug
Rosetta Stone sues Google over trademark
Pushy French are world's worst tourists: study
Australia presses China on detained Rio exec | International |
Pamplona bull gores man to death
Hundreds hurt, homes destroyed in China quake: reports
Publishers deny British tabloid celebrity phone-hacking claims
North Korea army behind South web attack: report | International |
Russia operator denies plan to rename Lenin station
Miner Anglo American chooses new chairman: reports
Power.com countersues Facebook in user data dispute
Obama uses G8 debut to issue warning to Iran | International |
China claims to have proof against Rio Tinto staff
French paper goes global, risks ridicule with translation
German exports perk up in May on month: statistics
Medvedev threatens U.S. over missile shield | International |
Google CEO to discuss his role on Apple's board
Hundreds injured in south China quake | International |
Iraq denies U.S. policy shift brought Iranians' release | International |
German chipmaker Infineon unveils major capital increase
US fund Apollo to invest in Germany's Infineon: report
Fuel rods to be checked at German nuclear plant
Publishers deny British tabloid celebrity phone-hacking claims
Chavez contacted US over Honduras: official
British police probe tabloid phone-hacking claims
Obama arrives in Ghana to red carpet welcome
Obama arrives in Ghana for maiden trip to sub-Saharan Africa
LA wants reports on Jackson memorial cost, revenue
Big media seek 21st century business models | Technology |
SC gov hangs on to office, 2 weeks after scandal
Text of Obama's news conference on Friday
North Korea army behind South web attack: report | Technology |
Obesity a risk factor in swine flu?
China raises Xinjiang death toll to 184
Power.com countersues Facebook over user data | Technology |
GM exits bankruptcy; CEO vows better performance
Australia concerned over Rio executive detention
Obama Gets Warm Welcome In Ghana
Google CEO to discuss his role on Apple's board | Technology |
Weather To Get Final Vote On Saturday Shuttle Launch
Idaho board game lets players live 'Truckin' life
North Korea army seen behind South web attack
India gay sex ruling
Anti-Rejection Drug May Extend Human Life
England cricket bowlers flayed by Aussie media
Camel Climbs Mount Washington
AOL reviewing assets, but will likely keep Bebo | Technology |
US lawmakers rally behind Uighur leader
Australian shot dead at US mine in Indonesia: police
Bloggers test boundaries in Saudi Arabia | Technology |
4-Month-Old Found Dead At Day Care Center Of Apparent Heart Trouble
Three Sought In Murders Of Couple With 12 Adopted Children
News Corp won't buy Twitter, won't sell MySpace | Technology |
Continental Airlines Gets A Nod From DOT To Join Star Alliance
Evans has a go at Tour de France
Ericsson to manage Sprint network in $4.5-$5billion deal | Technology |
Australian shot dead near Freeport Papua mine
GM Emerges From Bankruptcy As Slimmer, Faster Firm
Recalls Continue of Milk Products Linked To Salmonella
Update: G8 Commits $20 Billion To Food Security; Obama Says Economic Recovery Still Underway
Clinton hopes NKorea grants amnesty to US reporters
Paris Hilton insists she plugged sorority movie
Zooey Deschanel destined for "Highness"
Turkmenistan prepared to supply Nabucco
"Old Christine" is new to Lifetime
Turkmenstan prepared to supply Nabucco
India's Infosys Q1 profit up 17.2 pct, beats forecasts
Malkovich to take serial killer opera around Europe
Clooney to shoot film in Italian earthquake city
Hollywood sends 3D home -- in videogames
Still no EU green light for SKorea trade deal: diplomats
China property prices post first on-year rise in six months
Jesse James Hollywood convicted of murder, kidnap
Pakistan's 2008/09 remittances at record $7.8 bln
Fate of fans' flowers, cards for Jackson undecided
India's Infosys says quarterly profit up 1.6 pct
Ryan Reynolds cast as Green Lantern | Entertainment |
China exports down 21.4% year on year in June
Court clears Indonesian official in activist death
Jackson's dad suspects foul play in death | Entertainment |
Wary Christmas looms for music retailers
Taiwan's Cathay Fin posts weak Q2 net profit
3 'Idol' alumni target holiday season for debuts | Entertainment |
Megawati rejects Indonesian presidential poll
Ryan Reynolds cast as "Green Lantern"
Taiwan dollar weakens on fund outflows, insurers
Austrians say outrageous Bruno ist pretty funny | Entertainment |
Harry Potter stars felt pressure to ace kiss | Entertainment |
CORRECTION: Jeremy Renner looks for success, finds "Hurt Locker"
Re-election raises hope of bold Indonesian govt
China to build own Neverland as Michael Jackson tribute | Entertainment |
Obama artist admits to 3 Boston vandalism charges
Wary Christmas looms for music retailers | Entertainment |
McCartney returns to Ed Sullivan Theater
Indonesia poised for growth after Yudhoyono 'landslide'
Ryan Seacrest nears new megadeal | Entertainment |
Son of late Grammy nominee to take over NYC church
Early results show Indonesian president winning
Jeremy Renner looks for success, finds Hurt Locker | Entertainment |
British tabloid denies it hacked celebrities
Bono says Ghana rebranding Africa | Entertainment |
Jason Priestley and wife welcome a baby boy in LA
Carrey to be a grandfather; his daughter expecting
Dozens line up for Jackson Ind. hometown memorial
Two Malaysian men charged with human trafficking: report
NKorea's parliamentary head leaves for Egypt
U.S. drone strike kills 5 militants in Pakistan
Pakistani c.bank sells 16.5 bln rupees of T-bills
Vietnam could sack doctors revealing foetal sex: media
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
3 'Idol' alumni target holiday season for debuts
Carrie Underwood to entertain Fort Campbell troops
Paris Hilton insists she plugged sorority movie
Obama: Africa aid must be matched by good governance | International |
London's Big Ben clocks up 150 years
Iran plays down G8 concern at protests, nuke standoff
Canada warns pregnant women about swine flu risks
Iran prepares package to offer West
CORRECTED
Pakistan to put Mumbai attack suspects on trial | International |
Iran prepares package to offer West: minister | International |
Car bomb in northern Iraq's Mosul kills 4 | International |
Zimbabwe's Mugabe criticizes West for conditional aid | International |
Somali troops clash with insurgents, 20 killed | International |
Greying Asia faces pensions time bomb: ADB study
Australia presses China on Rio Tinto arrest
China scales back homeless number after quake
Weather worries cloud Endeavour launch attempt
McDonald warns Celtic of Roar's 'Old Firm'
SKorea spy agency 'hunts NKorean' for cyber attack
US govt review questions effectiveness of wiretaps
Indonesia find 15 Afghan migrants: police
Analysis: Obama suggests sanctions for Iran
FACT CHECK: GOP joins murky math on stimulus jobs
Obama admin: No grounds to probe Afghan war crimes
GM Considering eBay Partnership To Sell Vehicles
Couple in astronaut assault case plan to marry
WA teen who mistook hiker for bear gets 30 days
One week delay in Jackson guardianship case
Jackson's hometown holds memorial for pop icon
Island Records stars pay tribute at Montreux Jazz Festival | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01