I’ve always been a strong supporter of censorship, primarily because people don’t understand that with freedom comes responsibility. I have also believed that censorship was created for the good of society.

But when those controlling the content are responsible for societal turmoil, censorship turns into tyranny.

Many nations in the Middle East control Internet content, and in many ways it’s not wrong. But when a YouTube video or a blog post is the cause of deportation, or in  Omid Reza’s case, legal murder, a line needs to be drawn.

In 1857, there was an Indian Military Revolt that took place under the British Raj that is widely debated as the first organized revolution against the British government. This resulted in the British government creating laws to curb the freedom of the people in India, which was a catalyst to a chain reaction of Mutiny throughout.

Just like that, if revolution has taken a new form online, it is bound to be shot down over and over again. And just like any revolution in the past, it doesn’t die on punishment. As a matter of fact it escalates.

Those who control content anywhere, be it online, broadcast or print, must know that their primary function is the good of the society. And if they themselves are the biggest problem of the society, they won’t survive for long.

But you say it anyway.

You start addressing something that is so wrong, that you have no choice but to stand up and talk about it, even though you don’t want to.

But you say it anyway.

You know these things you say may get you into a whole lot of trouble. Trouble you would prefer to stay out of.

But you say it anyway.

The fact is in life, we are forced to do things we don’t want to do, but do them despite our negative feelings. Because the NOT doing these things is so much worse. Because any rational person knows that watching something so terrible and wrong and not doing anything about is just as bad as doing the monstrosity itself. And though you are not contributing to this monstrosity, you do become an integral part of its existence. One of the many cogs that make the mechanics of this monster move on.

We look onto this mechanical monster and say to ourselves “That is terrible. But if I leave it alone it won’t harm me.” And we move on with our lives. Keeping a faint memory of something that monster did, and how terrible it was. And then we take comfort that it didn’t hurt us. “We did the right thing.” Then one day we find somebody we love being gnawed and crushed by this monster’s teeth and cogs. And that is when we realize that we have become one of the cogs that keeps this machine alive. We are now one of the cogs that are crushing our loved ones.

Step back and take a look at that picture. Tell me that is a picture you would want to see. Tell me that stepping up to that monster is something you actually look forward to. You don’t.
But you will summon up the courage to walk up to that monster, and think up what you have to say. And though you know the monster may very well crush you.

But you say it anyway.

People usually ask me what my online name means, “what does Fangpyre mean? And I usually shy away from explaining what it means thinking people may not understand it to its full extent. But today, I’ll say it anyway.
But before I go into that, I will explain how I came to see this name as something important.
It was an Eid and I was watching a butcher get ready to slaughter the sheep. And the sheep were cornered off calmly while he gets his things ready. But all of a sudden a bunch of the sheep were able to break free and started running down the street. So the butcher franticly ran after them, and then took the biggest sheep by the horns and dragged it towards where he had them cornered off. And this sheep was trying to pull away from the butcher, but wasn’t able to. It simply was no match for him. This by itself is an image that isn’t so strange. But what came next was what struck me. The rest of the sheep that had escaped were still following the biggest sheep, only now it was being dragged against it wishes to its dooms. And though this sheep didn’t want to follow the butcher, the rest were content in doing that.

And that is where the moniker Fangpyre came to be.

It means “Don’t be a sheep. Don’t lay your fangs to the pyre”.
Because the moment you give in and you no longer stand up for the things you believe in, is the moment you really die.
So you summon up the courage to say what you feel is right. And you can feel this crushing fear inside your gut about what will happen when you start talking.

But you say it anyway.

“Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign”
John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859.

But sovereign are we, over our blogs and the contents and comments therein?

We are bloggers. We want freedom. But who are we?

Are we mere individuals, exercising our right to free speech? Or serving in a larger reserve corps of citizen journalists, doing the menial chores mainstream fleet streeters balk at, breaking community stories and spotlighting abuses that may otherwise be ignored?

If the latter, we are all scribes. But while our bold brethren scribing for broadsheets a enjoy the protection of law for work, property and ideas,  we tend tend to fall inebriated between the barstool of individualism and the wooden pew  of public reach. Even though  we may be genuine aggregators and investigators of information, we are not offered the  protection afforded to journalists, nor privy to the same outrage when one of us is hoisted out of the public sphere and into an anonymous cell.

If the former, we are individuals who generate, in part opine and pontificate  and in others prevaricate. But in doing so, we meet the basic human need of self-expression and ask permission for the right to exercise freedom of expression. Thinkers like Stuart Mill have argued for liberty on the premise that it increases happiness. As beings capable of abstraction, rationalization and expression, the life of a pebble is not for humans. The artisan hews, the painter paints, the poet sculpts reality out of verse, thus so should a blogger be permitted to throw together prose.

If either of the narratives above describes us, we shall call it our own, for both  present obvious pressing arguments for blogger rights – the first as foot soldiers for transparency, the second as mere individuals who wish to be individual.

But both narratives also imply a sense of duty, responsibility and measure. One we ignore at our peril.

If we are to be journalists, we must then be very good journalists because we are our own editors, sources and type-setters. We can not throw around accusations on whim and cast doubts on fancy, because we then fail our cause and cannot in good faith ask for protection afforded to accredited and audited correspondents.

If we are to be mere individuals, we must recall that the right to swing our fists – and opinions-  ends at the tip of our subjects’ noses. Salaciousness, fabrication and mendacity are not pleasing attributes, be they evident in real life or the blogosphere.

The world does not yet know how to treat us because we don’t yet know who we are- journalists, individuals, citizens or all three.

But of two points we can be sure.

One,  bloggers the world over have been invaluable in offering perspective, insight, indignation  and indeed new information that has held the world’s attention and created pressure for constructive change – in political as well as corporate matters. From Egypt to Iran, Dell to Etisalat, blogging  has  represented  a democratization of information that, while may not always be correct, offers empowerment often translating into positive action.

Second, freedom of expression is the flimsy catch preventing functioning societies falling into autocratic tyranny. For that purpose alone, it should be encouraged. We  will not stand up and insist that every single factual nuance ever noted by us is accurate and cross-checked as we’d ideally want. But we will, proudly and vehemently, insist on our right to expression -not merely as bloggers but as humans- without the fear of persecution. So let the first blogger who dies in prison be the last. In fact, expand that remit. Let the next person who dies in prison for  exercising expression in any form be the very last. Ever.

For more information on blogger rights, it may be helpful to refer to http://news.cnet.com/Bloggers-have-rights-too/2010-1034_3-5632544.html

Hisham Wyne

The author has writing pretensions, and dabbles in social commentary, political analyses and cultural waffle. He calls himself an amateur armchair sociologist. You can find some of his scribblings on www.hishamwyne.wordpress.com and www.huffingtonpost.com/hisham-wyne, and can find him on twitter @HishamWyne.

A term that weighs different on the scales of every individual. Be it invisible fetters that hold back tears, or physical restraints that gag your right to scream. Be it the dread of a tyrant’s wrath, or the fear of thoughts out loud breaking that bubble of denial.

We all have our own hurdles to overcome, our own liberties to fight for. For freedom is most valued and most dear to the ones for whom it is forbidden. For only the shackled truly get to taste in full effect the sweetness of liberty.

Now I’m no polical blogger; preferring instead to take the more cushioned route of broadcasting a few select whimsical musings. Not because I fear for my life, but solely because I’m not passionate enough about a subject to give political science the justice it deserves.

But for those who do; for those who choose to assert their hypotheses/ideologies onto print or online realms, more often than not they do so at the risk of their own lives. Knowing very well that they are provoking the ire of the government they’re resisting or the influential figure they oppose.

As human beings we have a societal duty towards the one another. When two people are in danger, they’re in it together. When a whole community is in peril, they all fear with each other. When an entire nation has a crisis, every single individual is at risk.

So when made aware of a potential threat, will you not warn your neighbour? When informed of impending danger, will you not signal the others?

In most Western nations, anti-regime blogs aren’t given a second glance; the governments preferring instead to ignore the opposition and in some (very rare) cases make an actual effort to  resolve the existing conundrum. But in countries with high sensitivities, a passionate anti-administration blogpost is quite literally (and rather cliche’edly) a matter of life and death.

With media censorship causing a serious problem in the relaying of information, most reporters resort to blogging or other online forums to get their message across. To inform the public of what they have learnt, but cannot be said ‘out loud.’

It is incumbent however, that in spite of the licenses bestowed on us by online forums, it is our moral obligation as bloggers, tweeters and purveyors of information, to tread responsibly. In factual reportage to make sure our sources are verified, and in the expression of opinions to ensure that our viewpoints are not baseless’ly declared.

We all have a responsibility towards the leaders that govern us, and to the parliament we represent.

Having said that however, but what if they disappoint? If a friend (let alone a foe) does something to displease, will you not let it be known? If your meal was unsatisfactory, will you not reflect that in your review?

And when it boils down to the voicing of opinions or feelings being emoted, no one (technically) has the right to tell you you’re wrong. Quashing an individual’s right to speech is on par with nullifying thought. Synonymous even, with the censorship of expression as a whole.

The principal questions still linger. How far does the horizon of the term ‘freedom’ take us, and who allocates these boundaries? Who are we responsible for (putting Divinity aside), and who is it that has the right to stop us?

Is expressing dissatisfaction a crime punishable by law? Deserving of the death sentence even? If so, how is it then that the punishment delivered for the articulation of a personal viewpoint is on level with the charge doled out for the assassination of a human life?

The March18 movement was created in memory of Omid Reza Mir Sayafi, an Iranian blogger and journalist who died in Evin Prison in Tehran on the 18th of March 2009. The movement intends on commemorating this day to highlight the risks taken by bloggers around the world, when all they want to do is tell their story.

Omid was the first blogger to die in prison. Let him also be the last.

For afore-mentioned whimsical musings visit Chronicles of a TestTube

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– Taken from ‘Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy’

A snippet taken from a play by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, so simple, yet so true.

The internet has been the greatest invention of modern time; definitely the greatest invention of my generation. As the internet evolved through the years, a digital revolution took place and people started exploring the possibilities of this strange yet wonderful arena. “What can we do via this medium?” they asked, and they still do. This is the beauty of the internet – like the open skies, it has no bounds.

Amateur writing began in notebooks, scraps of paper lying around; some of these were protected via a lock on the book, and the loose sheets were stored at the back of a closet in an old shoe box. However, some of these pieces of writings did make it out; newspapers, magazines etc published these personalised writings which highlighted opinions within a community, fraternity or region. Blogging is an example of such an activity. With the digitization of almost all media, we are finding a greater number of online journals, personal blog and focused writing groups airing their two pence worth to whoever is willing to cast their eyes on them.

The pace at which people have embraced online writing over the last decade could not have been predicted. The strength of the words laid out sentence after sentence have had a huge impact in communities. Newspapers use our words as direct quotes when they report on events, and that in itself highlights the significance of the strength of the average Joe and their words. There is however, one single element which digital writing has failed to embrace “properly” – responsibility.

You see, there are 2 distinct sides to this coin – any and every blogger has to keep the impact, that his words may cause, in mind. Barack Obama may be one of the better orators of our time, but the words which he speaks are that of Jon Favreau. The spoken word may not be Favreau’s forte, but the measure of impact when his words are spoken demonstrates an energy which is completely off the scale. Simillarly, bloggers have the ability to deliver words which can cause a change to any network that they believe, can perform better under another leadership. This is the power of “free speech”, via the internet, through the power of the written word. The other side of the coin, belongs to the eyes which read these words. Democracy has a set definition on paper, but is implemented based on opinions. In a democracy, one has the right to have their views known, but the interpretations of powerful words can cause an amazing impact in a fragile or volatile scenario.

As in any currency, the value of the coin will exist only when it has two faces – two VALID faces on the coin. Even neutral opinions lean, albeit slightly, to one side of the argument. However, any opinion has to be made with some level of responsibility. The actions and intentions of writers has to fit some level of acceptability criteria. Ofcourse, this doesnt mean a standardised set of opinions, but it does mean transmitting opinions with an understanding of the impact which their words will cause. Simillarly, the eyes, ears and authority in which these opinions are aired need to have an open mind in terms what is being aired. A valid opinion is rarely recognised without a fight, but it is the responsibility of both the writer and the person who reads it to approach with a level of responsibility which can be acceptable to both sides.

This leaves us with 2 questions which have to be asked -
“Is there justification for the detention of the bloggers who have tried to pass a message, or raise a question on certain ‘authority’ – did they maintain the right sense of responsibility in their approach?”
“Did the ‘authority’ understand the points which were being made – have they ignored their responsibility in allowing an opinion being made in an open and free society?”

What do you think?……

I would be the cookie monster, and you can follow the trail of crumbs to “It’s as simple as putting the biscuit in the basket“.

How you can help:

• Gather your friends, family and colleagues in one location and create an art piece dedicated to the cause. Please take a look at this event taking place in Dubai for example. You may get in touch with the organizer via e-mail, to help get some ideas and suggestions for your own event.

• Follow the steps in this blog post on ways you can get involved online.

• Take a video or a photo expressing your solidarity with persecuted bloggers everywhere.

Don't judge. Free speech is for all.

Tips:

• If you’re a Twitter user, create a Twtvite for your event (see example) and start tweeting about it, tagging tweeps in your area.

• If you’re a Facebook user, create an event (see example), and start inviting your friends. In order to do this, just click on “Events” on the left sidebar and then the “create new event” button from the top of the page.

• Create a mailing list of potential participants and invite their involvement.

Need help setting up an OR318 event?

Get in touch with us! We’ll be more than happy to assist you and promote your event on our accounts.

Protests are so passe.

(Plus with the country’s stringent laws on protests, we don’t want to be stepping on anyone’s toes here.)

Everybody deserves the right to freedom of speech so long as it doesn’t turn into slander or libelous accusations.

In order to honor the death of Omid Reza, the Iranian blogger who was killed in Evin Prison under the pretense that he spread propaganda against the country, I was thinking of organising a tweetup (location to be confirmed) and arranging for a community-made art piece for the Movement on Thursday, 18 March.

The art piece would comprise of a large canvas where supporters of the movement can gather and express what freedom of speech means to them. They can use any conceivable medium – pictures, drawings, poetry, or even a plain ol’ simple “I want free speech. kthxbai” scrawled across the canvas to convey their messages.

All of us at OR318 are hoping to send the finished canvas to the same prison where Omid was killed.

Twtvite and RSVP here
Facebook event and RSVP here

If it takes off, this could very well be done globally in the coming years.

I’m still looking for a decent location, a few photographers, and a cameraman. Money and Rupert from Twitter have been kind enough to help get a location — although finding one is still proving difficult — so if anyone has suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

All photos and videos will go up on the March 18 website.

Contact me if you have any ideas:
uzma@mideastyouth.com
@Lhjunkie on Twitter

In my son’s children’s prayer book, there is a sentence that has always baffled me: “…bestow Thou freedom while in a state of childhood…”

What is meant with this phrase and what is “freedom”? The freedom to get naked and play in the dirt? The freedom to eat rice with your hands and then throw half of it on the floor? The freedom to roll around in the grass without a worry?

In an incredibly inspiring and unlikely speech at Harvard University, author JK Rowling recently shed some light on the subject for me, as she spoke about the value of crisis or the “fringe benefits of failure” as she put it. She described, that when she hit rock bottom in her life; when all her fears of poverty and failure had come true, there was nowhere else for her to hide. It was in her absolute outer poverty that she discovered the true nobility of who she really was. There were no more material or worldly possessions, titles or “hype” to hide behind. She was “free” to be who she really was and rock bottom provided a solid foundation for her to build and meet her highest destiny.

So on one level freedom is a state of mind and means to be free from “earthly things”. It can mean detachment from societal or cultural expectations, from material belongings, ego and idle fancy. And curiously, it is often in a state of outer “poverty” and “restriction” that we can find our true inner freedom.

In the “West” we often think of ourselves as already being free. We look at places such as Iran and think because freedom of speech is restricted, basic human rights are abused, the internet is censored and satellite programs are intercepted, we can call ourselves free and that this freedom is something worth “bringing” to places like Iran. Sure it is. But in the process of pushing these valuable societal freedoms, we often forget to humble ourselves before the “inner freedoms” that so many people in places like Iran have already achieved.

It isn’t our societal freedoms, but what we do with our societal freedoms that often points to our deep, underlying enslavement to self and ego. Those whose voices are silenced and who perish in the prisons of the Middle-East and elsewhere are often far more “liberated” than we are!

Inner freedom can be absolute, societal freedom can only ever be relative. Because if I infringe on your freedom by expressing my own, I am hurting not only you, but the greater organism of life that encompasses me. Indulge me for a second and visualize this organism as a piano: In parts of the Middle East, freedom of speech and freedom of expression are so bad that there are only three of four notes that are allowed to be played. The rest are silenced and muted for life. The tunes that emerge from this piano are dull and depressing. The piano as a whole is deprived.

In the “West”, every note is “free”; free to play and bang and sound whenever it wants. As a result it sounds like my one-year old, when he bangs on his keyboard. It’s a cacophony of brutal notes, each trying to sound louder than the other and each trying to win ascendancy over the other. It is equally dull and depressing – and equally deprived of meeting its highest potential.

What we need for our own limitless spiritual freedom to be realized is a situation where each note can find its own best expression and sound at precisely the right time, without infringing on another’s turn and without sacrificing its own beauty. None of us can ever be heard unless we find that balance of a beautiful symphony and come together in a dance of notes. That is true unity and freedom. It is only when we find that balance, that each of us will find his or her best expression and that diversity will reach its highest expression.

So as we strive for greater societal freedoms in the “East” and for a greater understanding of our spiritual freedoms and responsibilities in the “West”, let us embrace that we need to learn from each other to realize ultimate freedom for our ever-advancing human civilization.

If you make an OR318 contribution, don’t forget to tag it on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter and Facebook with these keywords: March 18, OR318, Free Speech. Give us a shout here and show us your work!