الأربعاء، 8 أكتوبر 2008

November 4th- National Day For Free Blogging

The first thing that strikes anyone who studies Tunisian history is the number of civilizations that wafted through the shores of Tunisia. The home of Hannibal, the most talented commander in history, and Ibn Khaldoun, the father of economics, still carries the footprints of every empire that embraced it into its territory. 
By reading the Tunisian blogs, you can clearly observe the diversity among bloggers who are a true projection of the Tunisian people: Some of us blog for Islam and others against it; some are defending the Tunisian Arab/Muslim identity and others are trying to protect our Beberian heritage and consider everyone else as a colonizer. And the differences are various and vast. You just need to visit few blogs to recognize the stunning diversification in political and religious views and beliefs in a country that is as small as New York State.
Despite all these differences, Tunisian bloggers had shown, in multiple occasions, an honorable image of solidarity and brotherhood among each others: When one blog gets censored, we feel as angry and hurt as the blog owner; we all stand and speak in one voice denouncing such despicable acts. United we stood and united we stand is how I see us. 
Tunisian blogs became the main supplier of unbiased news for Tunisians living inside and abroad. Blogging became a responsibility and bloggers are now citizens who can create jeopardy to any government agency trying to cover and shadow information that doesn’t project a picture of a stable and democratic, government of a country experiencing a fast economic growth.
That in mind, we decided that, as we took this heavy responsibility on our shoulders, we are entitled to a law that protects us from any abuse and unlawful censorship. This law should also shield us from any unlawful investigation and arrest due to the content of our blogs as long as it doesn’t break any law acknowledged by our constitution. This same law will punish any person or entity that shall intentionally break it.
Zied El Heni’s symbolic law suite against “Tunisian Internet Agency” inspired us to launch our movement and decided to have November 4th, the date of the first hearing, as a National Day For Freedom of Blogging. This movement was immediately embraced by most if not all the Tunisian bloggers who will be the force that fuels and inspires this movement. 
. We will be reaching out parties of our government soon with all our demands hoping for a great cooperation. 


هناك تعليقان (2):

Werewolf يقول...

Well said Bachbouch but the law suite was against the "Tunisian Internet Agency" not the "Tunisie Telecom"
l
;)

Bachbouch يقول...

Thanks werewolf, I just fixed it :)