Tag Archives: Libya

Free At Last, Free At Last: Libya (Post 5)

How could we not expect the people of Libya to be excited as they move towards a more free and independent media system? According to Fatima el Issawi’s article for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, “transitional bodies established after the revolution to reorganize the media sector took radical measures to break with the past, disbanding many of the former media outlets with the aim of creating a freer system. This was interpreted by former state journalists as punishment for their complicity.”

It is not a normal occurrence for people to succeed at a total reform of something government has so much control over. Though Libya is having some issues with journalists from the Gaddafi Era, they are working as hard as they can to get the whole nation to switch to a freer and more true media lifestyle. According to the article there are several things the people of Libya can do to make this transition more smooth. Some of them are to “lobby for the rights and security of journalists, establish a specialized expert body to spearhead the liberalization and reconstruction of Libyan media, reintegrate journalists employed during the Gaddafi era into the new media sector and adopt tailored, long-term training programs.”

They have the support of people in other countries of Africa who have a more understanding government and also a more free media system. According to yourmiddleeast.com, “Libya will likely want to create its own unique system and style. There has been talk of private TV stations and some public service media, possibly like the BBC model, which would properly represent the people. The mix of new media including newspapers and recast old titles will be of paramount importance. Radio is also very much in play and is more important than many people think.”

It is exciting to see the people working towards making their country better. Do you think that this move towards freedom will by successful? What moves do you think the United States would take if we were in the same position as Libya?

http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/05/14/transitional-libyan-media-free-at-last

http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/features/how-can-libya-build-its-independent-media_8984

Libyan TV Anchor Delivers News While Holding AK-47

Leave a reply

This would never be acceptable in the United States. That’s all that I can think about while watching this video. And how lucky are we, as American citizens, that this will never be acceptable?

If an American news anchor had brandished a gun on live television, threatening any citizens that goes against him/her and his/her beliefs, I would imagine that the delay in a live broadcast would allow the technicians or head of the station to end the broadcast immediately. And if that failed, the cameras would be cut or the anchor would have been removed from screen. At the very least, his microphone would have been muted.

This is an example of the difference in power among the media structures, between the privately owned TV stations and the government owned TV stations. This anchor was clearly broadcasting from a government owned news station. The people in power at the station allowed this action to go on because of their own political affiliation. Not to mention, the man was holding a gun. If it wasn’t just a prop, I would bet that he was running the show.

This message is threatening. Seeing a gun on live television is unsettling and scary. At least, in America, where this kind of activity is uncommon, it is. Is this the norm in Libya? I was able to find a few more video examples of passionate news anchors ranting on camera, enraged at those citizens crazy enough to go against the ruler that they believe and support so whole heartedly, Muammar Gaddafi.

It seems that this kind of activity has happened far more than it should in Libya. Once is too much. I wonder how the people in Libya reacted when they saw this image, this angry and armed man, being broadcast into their homes from their television sets.

I know that I would be terrified. I can’t imagine any children seeing that image and not being scarred for life. I don’t know what I would do if I saw this live, but I believe that a wave of unrest would travel through the American public. There would be a swift, demanding call for change and action. That man would not have his job any longer and he would be held accountable for his threat on the safety of the people.

It is upsetting to know that these actions are not taken as seriously in Libya.

This video provides a glimpse into the turmoil in Libya in only 1 minute and 3 seconds.

Cyber Cafes in Libya

Leave a reply

Cyber Cafes –often referred to as Internet Cafes– in Libya first emerged in the late 1990’s after the Internet was expanded from exclusively state institutions to the public. Shortly after the year 2000, this new Internet industry took off and thousands of cyber cafes emerged, making the internet more accessible and available for its people than it was before. The price of the Internet decreased, and Cyber Cafe’s browsing price was relatively low at 1LYD ($0.75) and hour –which even further decreased prior to the 2011 uprising. Between 2004 and 2007, the Internet penetration rate rose from 4% to 17%, and this rise can be partly attributed to cyber cafes.

Example of Libyan Cyber Cafe:

Cyber cafes have done a lot to increase Internet access and availability by providing an outlet for people to access the Internet, but like many things there are drawbacks to these cafes. In 2009, Cyber cafe owners were required to sign contracts with Libyan authorities to monitor the content to which people could access, and special monitoring software was installed. However, before these contracts were established in 2009, there were other means to censor the internet in cyber cafes. In 2003, a code of conduct was enacted, instructing cyber cafes to place stickers by each computer that warned cyber cafe customers not to visit websites that negatively impacted “national security” and “public morals”. The purpose of these warnings were to promote self-censorship through fear and limit access from opposition websites, and “cyber dissidents” were often arrested and imprisoned.

Accessibility and surveillance of cyber cafes have changed over the years, but arguably one of the biggest changes came in 2012 after the civil war. Beginning in February 2011, months-long periods of internet shutdown began and Internet connectivity that did exist was poor . Also, from December 2011 to February 2012 parts of Libya experienced blackouts, and without electricity internet connectivity was impossible. As a result, the cyber cafe industry was decimated ad by the beginning of 2012, most people accessed the internet through other means (such as their homes and workplaces).

All in all, cyber cafes were initially established to open up media/internet access, but the events of the past decade have limited these cafe’s impact. Also, despite the fact that Cyber Cafes initially did a lot to improve infrastructure and internet accessibility, problems of accessibility have always existed in Libya because the cost of home internet connection is (and has been) out of reach for many Libyans.

References:

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1297466705/ba332-font-b-Cyber-b-font-font-b-Cafe-b-font-Coffee-Cup-Internet-Banner-Shop.jpg

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2012/libya#.VIYYsIfD82d

https://youtube.com

The Continued Struggle for Power

Leave a reply

After the 2011 Libyan Civil War, mentioned in a previous post, the country has continued to struggle in finding proper government stability.

Although anti-authoritarian protests and movements brought down Gaddafi as leader in 2011, a strong and democratic government has yet to take place in Libya. After the civil war, a transitional government took charge and faced the challenge of imposing order, disbanding the former rebel forces, rebuilding the economy, creating functioning institutions and managing the pledged transition to democracy and the rule of law in Libya.

While the country still had its transitional government, Libyan citizens voted in July 2012 for a General National Congress. The elections were the country’s first free national election in six decades. The congress appointed a prime minister, Ali Zeidan, in October, who formed an interim government tasked with preparing the ground for a new constitution and new parliamentary elections. Many citizens were looking forward to the country’s new constitution, because it would grantee them freedoms and rights that were not previously ensured. Also, this was the first time in decades that they had the right to choose a leader and feel as though their voice was being heard.

Though Libya seemed to have had the recipe for a successful government formation, tensions between the country’s nationalists and Islamist have depleted any current attempts to produce a stable government, and in 2014, the country was invaded by fighting between the rival militias.

Due to the fighting, the current (temporary) government in Libya was collapsed and the United Nations has struggled to bring political factions together, trying to create a peaceful environment were a new government could thrive.

In finding proper government, Libya citizens can enjoy the benefits of a free democracy and freedoms of speech, including media access and usage.

Is it a shame that a proper government in Libya could not form after citizens fought so hard in the Libyan Civil War? What do you think? Tell us in a comment below!

source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13754897

Hopes of Strengthening Economic Relations

1 Reply

Morocco and Libya have been examining ways to strengthen their economic ties for quite some time. Together, the countries have been supportive of each other economically, but Libyan and Moroccan government officials and economic analysts say there is always room for improvement.

In March 2014, the government officials and analysts from both countries came together to discuss and evaluate their recent economic progress since 2011, when good trading and real estate investment began full-swing between the countries.

Since 2011, the trade between countries reached 900 million dirhams (almost 98.5 million U.S. dollars) and Libya’s direct investment in Moroccan real estate had spiked. Though those were signs of economic success, officials said that the numbers could have been even higher, believing that establishing concrete governments in both countries would create suitable economic conditions to promote more shared wealth between them.

Libyan businessman Mohamed Charaf agreed with government officials stating that there is a lot of unexplored potential between the two countries. He also advised that Libya and Morocco start economically partnering in sectors such as infrastructure, agribusiness and tourism.

In the past, general ties between Morocco and Libya have been present, especially after the formation of the Treaty of Oujda in the 1970s. The treaty tied Libya and Morocco together in many ways, including economically, against the other North African countries of Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritania in a political divide that is still slightly present today.

Today, since the conference in 2011, both countries have been planning to keep expanding their economic horizons, building their relationships, and entering into new markets together. With the hopes of continuing their economic relationship, Morocco and Libya hope to enjoy the benefits in both their job markets and government profit.

With an increased job market, both countries may experience less poverty, leading to a more balanced system, higher education funding (leading to increased literacy rates) and more financial access to media systems.

source: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/features/2014/03/18/feature-03

Respecting Culture or Lack of Rights?

1 Reply

In July of 2013, which was less than two years ago, the women’s international football team was banned from participating in a tournament in Germany. I thought this article (listed below) was very interesting because there are two sides of the story and after studying Libya’s culture, it is clear that either of these stories is very possible.

Libya’s Football Association claims their reasoning for doing this is because the tournament was during Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Muslim year and is an important cultural and religious holiday, which needs to be respected. They also claim they have nothing against women playing football and if that tournament was at a different time there would be no problem.

On the other hand, however, the team claims that there are other teams in Berlin that are allowed to play during Ramadan. Additionally, the team has received harsh criticism and hate, and practices in secret because it does not agree with sharia law.

There is no way for us to know the full truth about the true reason behind banning the women from the tournament, but we can use logic.

It is true that Libya stays very true to their culture. Culture and collectivism are the number one priority in their country, so respect for Ramadan seems like a legitimate reason for banning participation. However, for that same reason (culture) I was surprised to find out that they were even allowed to have a women’s football team. Sticking to tradition, football is not a typical hobby for women; especially when they dress the way these women do. After the revolution, women received more rights, but not as much as they wanted, and I think this is an example of that. Additionally, in all aspects of life in Libya, women are at a disadvantage.

Personally, I don’t think it could be any clearer why they were not allowed to attend the tournament. I don’t think Ramadan was a valid excuse due to the fact that other teams participated in other events during that time period; not to mention the other reasons listed above. But, we may never know the truth.

Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2013/07/19/Libya-bans-women-s-football-team-from-tournament.html

#Twitter in Libya and Morocco

Leave a reply

Twitter is one of the most popular social media apps in the world. People everywhere have become accustomed to getting their daily news in quick, condensed bits consisting of only 140 characters. Research conducted by Portland Communication in 2011 revealed that 68% of people in Africa used twitter to monitor the news within their region. Libya had 3,096 Twitter users and Morocco had 745,620 Twitter users.

Research conducted by Portland Communications: Twitter Activity of Africa in 2011.

During the Libyan revolution, the government shut down traditional media and the Internet in an effort to quiet the public unrest. Individuals took it upon themselves to spread the information about current events. Twitter replaced the previous method, which was word of mouth via telephone. Twitter became one of the most reliable news sources due to Gaddafi’s manipulation of the media. This also led to the rise of social media in North Africa.

Libyan protesters took to Twitter to win over supporters and combat the patriotic propaganda that Gaddafi and his supporters were constantly broadcasting to the public. They spoke the truth about what was going on and basically had a running play-by-play of the events of the revolution. When the government failed to tell the truth, the people made sure that the correct message was out there. A popular site for protesters to visit was libyaFeb17.com, a site where various twitter posts and media related to the Libyan revolution were congregated.

The social media impact during the Libyan revolution was so great that the New York Times was quoted to say, “Whichever side wins this media battle will probably be well on the way to ruling the country.”

Morocco was ranked 5th in Twitter users in 2011. The social media site was extremely popular among younger people in the 20-year-old range. These people will grow older with Twitter and continue to drive the growth of the social media revolution. The Portland research report also showed that most tweets were coming from cities, which makes sense because that is where the most people are, and probably a good amount of the tweet-worthy activity.

The study was conducted once again in 2014. This time Morocco and Libya do not appear on the map. This could be because they are not the most populated cities in Africa and thus do not have as much Twitter activity to be monitored. However, it will be interesting to see how the social media landscape changes as time goes on. It is inevitable that Twitter use will continue to grow and spread throughout North Africa. The link to the study is included here.

Sources:

http://www.reinventinglibya.org/blogging.php

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/world/middleeast/24iht-m24libya.html

Click to access How-Africa-Tweets.pdf

http://www.portland-communications.com/publications/how-africa-tweets-2014/

http://www.ibtimes.com/twitter-exploding-africa-continents-growing-middle-class-demands-adidas-gear-samsung-1575882

http://libyafeb17.com/

Media Systems Take Libya (Post 1)

Leave a reply

It is always nice to see areas that usually have no media interaction working towards being involved with up and coming Internet communication. Libya is an area that normally would have no local media, social media, or even world wide media involvement. Not only does the nation of Libya lack on the nation wide involvement but also they were also unavailable when it came to huge world wide news such as wars or terrorist attacks. Media in Libya was extremely dictated by the government, Could you imagine not being allowed you know if there was an attack or a major natural disaster somewhere in the work because your media was so strictly regulated?

In an interview with Abdul Hafeedh Ghoga there were many interesting points made both defending and negating the need for media systems in Libya. The interview, which was conducted by Habib Toumi, the Bureau Chief at the Gulf News, included mostly the positive direction that Libya was moving it. “After four decades of autocratic rule, Libya is now in a position to create an independent, national media system that meets the needs of its people,” Abdul Hafeedh Ghoga, Vice Chairman of the National Transitional Council, said to Habib Toumi.

Also in that interview “”These principles and action items will serve as guideposts as we seek to put in place the type of media environment required by a vibrant, modern state. We are grateful to Northwestern University in Qatar and the many international experts who shared their insights during this unprecedented conference,” said Ghoga who headed the Libyan delegation and co-chaired the conference.”

This reference refers to the face that students from Northwestern University from America are volunteering there time where they feel it is necessary to help the people of Libya become media system independent. The people of Libya are more that grateful and welcoming of our help. They are aware that us here in the united state know what is going on.

I personally find it comforting that we can use our knowledge of technology and our outstanding media systems to help the people of Libya. How do you feel about us being in other nations sharing our information and trying to better nations that are not our own?

Source: http://gulfnews.com/news/region/libya/libya-takes-first-step-towards-creating-media-system-1.949310

Blogging in Libya

2 Replies

Social media has had a major role in the advancement of the Arab Revolution. It has become an important tool used by individuals to communicate, organize, and exchange ideas. Blogging in particular has become a way for journalists, or anyone with something to say, to express their ideas and share them with the public. It is interesting that blogging, such a trendy medium in the United States, can have such a powerful political influence in Libya.

Before the revolution, many bloggers were intimidated by the Libyan security’s infiltration of the blogosphere. Freedom of speech is something that we are so used to as Americans, but we must remember that not all people have the liberty that we experience. It was nearly impossible for bloggers to address current events before and during the revolution because individuals could be persecuted for the words that they write. The Libyan government wanted to shut down any negative commentary about it in order to settle the unrest that was brewing among the people.

There was no traditional media during the revolution. This was probably because the government couldn’t control every single bit of information that was being produced. So, instead of keeping the public informed, they completely blocked them out. This only fueled the bloggers because individuals took it upon themselves to spread information. They would follow up on rumors of attacks, call friends to confirm and sometimes posts videos, images and links on Twitter instead of the blogs to reduce the risk of getting caught by Qaddafi’s social media monitors.

But, once again, the government shut down communication in an attempt to hinder the inevitable change that was coming to the country. The internet was inaccessible for the majority of the revolution. This made the dissemination of information much more difficult and was a complete violation on the government’s part on the rights of its people.

Social media became such a major form of communication in Libya because people had more freedom to say what they wanted, although not much more. There was a certain distrust among the traditional forms of media because they were biased. Although not from a major news source, social media somehow became the more credible source during the revolution. Individuals couldn’t trust the major publications because they were government owned, like Al-Jamahiriya, the Libyan state-owned television channel. They would constantly produce propaganda to put the government in a positive light.

I cannot imagine living in a world where the media is so manipulated that individuals do not know the truth about the current events of their nation. The United States may have media broadcasts that spin stories in a certain way, but very rarely is there a total lack of communication. However, if this were to happen, I could see social media becoming everyone’s main source of information. The people would band together to spread the information when the government failed to do so.

Sources:

http://www.reinventinglibya.org/blogging.php

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/world/middleeast/24iht-m24libya.html?_r=0

A Libyan Celebration

Leave a reply

A wedding is something that many people look forward to, and it is interesting to see the different types of celebrations in various countries for a couple’s special day. In Libya, weddings are among the biggest celebrations for them. I think it is interesting to be able to see something so universal celebrated in much different ways depending on an area’s culture.

When it comes to a Libyan marriage, the bride and groom are typically very young and it is often an arranged marriage. Although they are arranged, a traditional Libyan wedding is a festive, joyous event. Libyan weddings last about three days but can extend to five days in some cases. Each day of the wedding ceremony is different and although they are very traditional, it is rare that any two weddings will be the same.

The first day of the ceremony, the man and woman officially become husband and wife. This event is typically a big day for the groom and the men in the family. The groom asks the bride’s father for permission to marry his daughter and is a celebration geared more towards the groom. For a man to be allowed to marry, he must be able to afford housing and be the provider for the family. The women at this event dress very traditionally, keeping themselves covered up and usually wearing a black abaya.

Men celebrating at a traditional Libyan wedding ceremony:

The next event, which is usually held the following day, is the celebration geared towards the bride. This event usually consists of many women, with minimal men in attendance. For a Libyan woman, marriage is seen as an essential step in a woman’s life. This is the time she celebrates this step. At this main event, women wear colorful outfits with jewelry, accessories, high heels, and make-up; the men stick to business-like attire, similar to something you would see in the United States. The bride can also receive henna tattoos in many cases.

The third day is less luxurious and is a day when the family of the groom brings gifts for the bride. The bride will typically be wearing a white wedding dress on this day. The final two days usually consist of smaller gatherings in the families’ homes with traditional meals, bonding and celebration.

Although the Libyan traditions slightly differ in various parts of the country, they stick to the same basis. I think these ceremonies play a big role in the culture of Libya and can give people a better idea of how Libyan people celebrate big events that people everywhere can relate to. For both Libyan men and women, this traditional ceremony is something that is cherished and held highly in their culture.

Sources: http://girlsoloinarabia.typepad.com/girl_solo_in_arabia/2006/07/the_libyan_wedd.html

http://www.latitudenews.com/story/love-and-the-libyan-revolution/