Articles by Social Media Exchange (SMEX)
Why Yemen’s internet shutdowns are so dangerous to civilians
Blocking of news sites and internet shutdowns follow renewed attacks on journalists.
Unapologetic crackdowns on dissent as greater instability rocks MENA
As the saga of Saudi’s hunted elites commanded attention across the Middle East and North Africa this November, news of the region’s less powerful prey fell by the wayside. Authorities in Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya, Morocco, and Egypt went after protesters, journalists, and human rights defenders critical of their regimes.
Online vigilantism: A threat to justice in Lebanon
The Facebook page “Where is the state?” regularly posts high-quality videos or pictures documenting alleged crimes in Lebanon. Sharing this information breaches these alleged criminals’ right to privacy and endangers their access to justice in the process.
Pressure mounts on Cambodia a year after Kem Ley’s killing
On the one-year anniversary of the death of popular Cambodian activist Kem Ley, civil society organisations from around the world reiterated their call for an independent inquiry.
Statement of Solidarity in Support of MENA HRDs for IFEX25
NGOs around the world ask authorities to stop campaigns of repression against HRDs and civil society organisations in the Middle East and North Africa region
Is Dawit Isaak alive?
That’s the question 33 NGOs are asking Eritrea this World Press Freedom Day, after the Cano prize-winning journalist remains unheard from since 2005.
UAE: Free prominent rights defender Ahmed Mansoor held on speech-related charges
91 NGOs call on UAE to immediately and unconditionally release award-winning human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor
Thou shall not… use mobile data?
The 160,000 residents of the Lebanese town of Arsal have been denied access to 3G and 4G mobile networks for over two years. The reason? Nebulous “security reasons” cited by the state.