Betsy Fisher · January, 2011

Latest posts by Betsy Fisher from January, 2011

Jordan: Social Media Combats Deforestation Project

  19 January 2011

The Jordanian government scheduled the building of a new military academy within the Ajloun forest, one of Jordan's few remaining forested areas. Immediately, several pre-existing and ad hoc coalitions sprung to halt the project - working mostly through citizen media to make their voices heard and mobilse support on the ground.

Jordan: Debating the Country's Leadership

  18 January 2011

Blogging and Twitter conversations in Jordan have continued on from Jordan's Day of Anger on Friday January 14th, 2011, and subsequent protests. These events had demonstrators demanding the resignation of Jordan's Prime Minister Samir Rifai, and demanding more attention paid to high prices, high unemployment, and low wages.

Jordan: Reflections on Tunisia

  16 January 2011

Naseem Tarawnah reflects on leadership changes in Tunisia and its potential impact on Jordan. “Today, Jordan, and perhaps much of the Arab world is learning one important lesson from Tunisia: the call for political change from the domestic constituency is unlikely to happen in the region unless the economy gets...

Jordan: Day of Anger Protests

  14 January 2011

Inspired by protests in Tunisia, the Jordanian Twitter community rallied around a "Day of Anger," announced January 12th and held January 14th after Friday prayers. The rallies were held around Jordan, focusing primarily on rising prices, but also addressing political disenfranchisement and concerns with Prime Minister Samir Rifai's government.

Jordan: Solutions to Rising Sectarianism

  10 January 2011

A series of events in Jordan are raising concern of increased sectarianism between Jordanians of Transjordanian and Palestinian descent, as well as increased violence between tribes of Transjordanian origin. Betsy takes a closer look at the dialogue taking place online.

Jordan: Clashes Follow University Elections

The University of Jordan held university elections for its student government on Dec 21, 2010. Following reports of violence and election irregularities, the University promptly issued statements denying the clashes. Less than two weeks later, further clashes broke out.

Jordan: Free Taher Nassar!

Tahir Nassar, a lawyer and former parliamentary candidate, was arrested and detained in a Jordanian prison on charges of “stirring up sectarian strife.” Nassar's offense was his election manifesto that highlighted discrimination against Jordanians of Palestinian origin. Netizens react to the news.