Internet Freedom - US Department of State

Internet Freedom


The Egyptian blogger community faces a crackdown. Abdel Kareem Nabil Suleiman has been detained since November 2006. (© AP Images)

Egyptian Is First Blogger To Receive Journalism's Knight Award

For the first time, the International Center for Journalists has awarded a Knight International Journalism Award to a blogger, Egypt's Wael Abbas, recognizing his role in bringing controversial subjects to the attention of his country's mainstream media and public. Abbas says the Knight Award is “very prestigious … and respected all over the world,” including Egypt, and hopes the award will help raise awareness of his blog. “It is not the best time for the media and the blogging community,” he says, since the regime is cracking down and trying to tarnish the bloggers' reputations by accusing them of treason and acting on behalf of those outside Egypt. (complete text)

Protest Images from Burma Showed Web Effectiveness and Frailty

Media coverage of recent pro-democracy protests in Burma depended largely upon the bravery and technical know-how of the country’s few citizens who had access to the Internet and cellular phones. USINFO looks at the technical challenges and physical dangers faced by those dedicated to sharing true stories with the world despite the best efforts of repressive regimes. (complete text)

Presidential Campaigns Take to the Internet

Previously, the best way for the average American citizen to get involved in a presidential campaign was volunteering to distribute flyers or to organize local campaign events. But today, thousands of Americans are getting involved in the 2008 campaign by logging onto the Internet and writing blogs. USINFO examines this trend and talks to several political campaign bloggers. (complete text)