Struggle for Expression

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/world/middleeast/30syria.html?ref=technology

Syria is not well known for it's freedom of speech. Many people there are locked up for speaking out against the government, or other governments, or mentioning minorities, or a myriad of other offenses. The Internet has offered the escape for many, allowing them to post their thoughts/beliefs as an anonymous writer, via blogs, facebook, and more.

The article is a prime example of that. A Schoolroom beating was uploaded to facebook, where it was watched by a large number of Syrians. They then further sent it around, before it made it onto the news, and eventually, caused punishment for the offenders. This is cause for hope, even as a new law is being put into place which would stop all of this.

It is a battle which is being repeated all over the world right now, from the Land of the Free to the Republic of China. Net Neutrality, the fight over whether to police what is transmitted over the internet, and if policing occurs, to what extent. The counter-technology to prevent this, etc. Syrians hope they can continue to use the Internet, lest their voice be squashed completely.