Latest posts by Betsy Fisher
Jordan: Social Media Combats Deforestation Project
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
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
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: Reactions to Ben Ali's Removal from ‘Angry Jordanians’
Jordanians, who held their Day of Anger on the same day Tunisia's President Zainelabidine Ben Ali escaped from his country after month-long protests, reacted in celebration to the news. They too are protesting against increased prices and frustration with political stagnation.
Jordan: Day of Anger Protests
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: Tunisian Protests May Trigger More Agony for Arab Governments
As the violence in Tunisia continues, so have responses and expressions of support in Jordan. Many Jordanian tweeters have focused on criticism of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Others speculate that the unrest in Tunisia will inspire the people of Arab countries to demand economic and political reform as well.
Jordan: Solutions to Rising Sectarianism
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.
Palestine: Eyewitnesses Report Tear Gas at Bil'in Demonstration
The death of a Palestinian woman from Bil'in, allegedly after inhaling tear gas at a demonstration, sparked another protest today - this time reported and followed closely on micro-blogging site Twitter.
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.
Jordan: Twitter Reactions to Nine Per Cent Fuel Hike
Jordan's government announced year-end fuel price hikes. The cost of gas, referred to as benzine, was raised 9 per cent, while the price of diesel and kerosene was raised by 6pc. Many Jordanians expressed their ire through sarcasm and humor.
Jordan: Sentencing of Critical Football Club President
Former Jordanian MP and Wihdat football club president Tareq Sami Khoury had been sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting and insulting a gendarme officer. Netizens react to the sentence.
Jordan: Football Violence or Racism?
News reports estimate that 250 people were injured following a football game in south Amman between the Wihdat team, usually followed by Jordanians of Palestinian heritage, and the al-Faisali team, usually supported by Jordanians of Transjordanian heritage. Twitter users react to the unfolding drama.
Jordan: Wikileaks’ “Cablegate” Raises Questions
The recent Wikileaks release, known as "Cablegate," featured several quotations from Jordanian officials, as well as large numbers of cables from the U.S. Embassy in Amman. Jordanian tweeters had varied initial reactions to the latest leak from the whistle-blower site.
Jordan: Reactions to a New Government
After the announcement of Jordan's new government, Jordanians react to the new ministers via Twitter and blogs.
Jordan: Tweets Cover Parliamentary Election Flaws
Jordanians went to the polls yesterday. As the voting continued, Twitter user Naseem Tawarnah provided up-to-the-minute updates of allegations of violence and voting fraud.
Jordan: To Vote, Or Not To Vote?
The Jordanian Twitter community debated the merits of voting or abstaining in the parliamentary elections to be held November 9, 2010.
Jordan: Political Cartoonists Take Aim at Campaign Posters
Jordanian social media writers continue to focus their writing about the November 9th parliamentary elections on the election posters covering the country, and particularly the capital city, Amman.
Jordan: The ArabCrunch Controversy Continues
ArabCrunch was founded in 2008. The blog launched its Arabic version in 2009, and quickly became a leading blog in the Arab tech sector. Jordanian netizens react to controversies surrounding the site and allegations made by its founder in this post.
Jordanians Tweet about Election Campaigning
Jordanian parliamentary candidates are now allowed to post campaign materials for the November 9 elections. Posters now cover main roads, and the topic of these campaign materials has been hotly discussed among Jordanian Twitter users. Almost unanimously, these tweets express disgust with the posters.
Jordan: To Palestine, With Love
Bloggers in Jordan, where a majority of people are descended from Palestinians, wrote extensively about issues in the West Bank and the Middle East this week.
