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This article discusses the issue of censorship. By talking with Egyptian novelist Khaled al-Berry, presented is the idea of a strong hope for less censorship because the January 25th revolutions had opened up a future of possibilities and challenges for Egyptian literature. While in previous years there had been no actual direct political censorship, publishers would attempt both religious and moral censorship as a means to protect people. While the article does discuss that there will always be censorship, they also look forward to a culture that values art and reading that will change the perspective of the culture.

The beheading of James Foley by the Islamic State triggered debate. David Greene talks to Robert Hernandez, assistant professor at USC Annenberg, about censorship with new tech platforms like Twitter.

The beheading of James Foley by the Islamic State triggered debate. David Greene talks to Robert Hernandez, assistant professor at USC Annenberg, about censorship with new tech platforms like Twitter.

The beheading of James Foley by the Islamic State triggered debate. David Greene talks to Robert Hernandez, assistant professor at USC Annenberg, about censorship with new tech platforms like Twitter.

The article details the history of censorship by Middle Eastern governments and how it has responded to newer technologies. Most notably social media and the Internet are the most prevalent targets of censorship by modern governments.

On August 26th, a "symposium on culture and the arts in Muslim Brotherhood thought" was held. The individuals that attended discussed different views. Some argued that the brotherhood had not reviewed or made a statement in over 70 years. Others believed that the stance regarding art was clear. "Asem Shalaby said... its (The Muslim Brotherhood's) refusal of any prior censorship on creativity, and suggested that the idea be integrated into the country's constitution as a fundamental principle."

This article discusses a journalist that was killed while trying to document the riots at Tahrir Square in Cairo. He was one of many that was trying to spread the message of the square, and was harmed along the way. The article discusses the police telling them to stop recording before he was shot. The fact that documenting these types of events was so highly punishable really puts the idea of censorship in this country in perspective.

This article discusses a journalist that was killed while trying to document the riots at Tahrir Square in Cairo. He was one of many that was trying to spread the message of the square, and was harmed along the way. The article discusses the police telling them to stop recording before he was shot. The fact that documenting these types of events was so highly punishable really puts the idea of censorship in this country in perspective.

This Washington Post article discusses how several world leaders, particularly in the Middle East, have tried to ban the internet and or social media and how they have fail. By looking at several examples such as Mubarak in Egypt, Ben Ali in Tunisia, and now the government in Turkey, it is easy to see patterns and trends that go along with censorship in the government.

This article from The Guardian describes what happened when Mubarak tried to shut down social media in the Egypt in 2011. It touches on many issues such as the protests following this event and the relation to censorship and freedom of speech.

I hate censorship. But I also love my life. My freedom, and my physical safety. These are the contradictions that any non-commercially minded artist has to carry with them into the boxing ring, if they find themselves wanting to create controversial taboo-busting work in the Arab world.

The author of this paper gives the readers insight to the way the revolution on January 25th has affected the literary scene for bookstores, for authors, and the things people are allowed to read or sell (due to censorship).

An interview with Omar Khouri, a political artist/cartoonist. The interview goes in depth of what Khouri mainly draws/paints and where his inspirations come from. 

This is another cartoon from Oum Cartoon of a cartoon illustrating the current issue of censorship in Egypt. The cartoon is a reaction of how the media is now supporting the government and how it will not demean them.  

The author of this article strongly opposes Social Media companies, specifically Twitter censoring ISIS related materials on their website. The author argues it violates free speech and the democratic principles associated with the website, arguing censoring a beheading video would be a slippery slope for future content.

This article by the BBC news talks about the recent banning of social media in Turkey. The interesting thing that this article points out is that social media was banned when it was near an election. The fact that they control the flow of information to the citizens around election time is extremely significant, because not being able to communicate about the elections can greatly impact the results.