A Tunisian TA of linguistics at Tunis University and a blogger. I am mainly blogging about freedom of speech , human rights (especially women rights and students rights), social problems, and organ donation awareness . I like photography , reading , writing , watching movies . I am also an athlete but within a special team : The Tunisian National Organ Transplant Team .
Latest posts by Lina Ben Mhenni
Tunisia: Time to Register for Elections
Registration for electoral lists in Tunisia started on July 11 and will be closed on August 2, but statistics have shown that Tunisians are reluctant to register on the lists. A group of Tunisian bloggers have launched an online campaign to urge people to register for the October elections.
Tunisia: Lawyers Assaulted for their Sidi Bouzid Stand
Tunisian lawyers have been making a stand throughout Sidi Bouzid’s events - and paying the price for it. They have been protesting regularly to denounce what happened there. And every day, news of the kidnapping, arrest, or assault of lawyers is surfacing on social networking sites.
Tunisia: Unemployed Man's Suicide Attempt Sparks Riots
An unemployed Tunisian set himself on fire in protest against his joblessness, sparking a wave of riots on the ground and solidarity and support on social networking platforms. While the fate of Mohamed Bouazizi, aged 26, from Sidi Bouzid, in southern Tunisia, remains unclear, Tunisian netizens ceased the incident to complain about the lack of jobs, corruption and deteriorating human rights conditions in their country.
Western Sahara: Wikileaks Revelations Spark Comments
Reactions to the diplomatic cables released by the whistleblower website Wikileaks continue to flourish all over the blogosphere. Revelations concerning the conflict over Western Sahara have sparked a few comments.
Tunisia: Censorship Continues as Wikileaks Cables Make the Rounds
Tunisian activists pounced on the latest Wikileaks US Embassy Cables, dedicating a new website to republish and discuss the revelations related to their country. Tunileaks, was launched by Nawaat one hour after the whistle-blowing site unleashed the cables - sparking a new round of censorship of the www.
Tunisia: Launch a Blog Campaign Kicks Off
After a seven-month lull in blogging activities, thanks to a crackdown by authorities which resulted in the blockage of more than 100 blogs, Tunisian bloggers are joining forces to encourage even more people to start sharing their thoughts and experiences online. Launch a Blog campaign has just been launched with the aim of attracting new bloggers to fight back censorship.
Tunisia: When the Singer Chants “Long Live Netanyahu”
The circulation of a video showing Tunisian singer Mohsen Sherif yelling “Long live Bibi Netanyahu!” and inviting Jews to come in droves to Djerba Island for El Ghariba pilgrimage, has triggered a wave of anger and disappointment among Tunisians. In geek speak, the video circulated on Facebook has now created a buzz.
Tunisia: A Black Day for Bloggers
Several Tunisian blogs, even those which have been inactive for months, have been blocked by the authorities for "no reason." Lina Ben Mhenni brings us the story.
Tunisia: Bourguiba 10th Death Anniversary Remembered
Tunisians remembered the 10th anniversary of the death of their country's first president - Habib Bourguiba, who walked their country through independence. Bloggers agree that he may have committed some mistakes, but applaud the changes he has institutionalised in the Tunisian society.
Tunisia: Tunisian Bloggers Speak in English
Tunisian bloggers used to avoid expressing themselves in English (the third language in the country), writing in Arabic (sometimes in Tunisian dialect) or French instead. Lina Ben Mhenni takes a look at some English writing blogs in this article.
Tunisia: Censorship Again and Again!
More than ever before, censorship seems to become the rule in Tunisia. The last two weeks in the Tunisian blogosphere witnessed a war launched by Ammar (the nickname given to the Tunisian censorship apparatus), who has been censoring blogs arbitrarily. Bloggers rally in support of their 'blocked' colleagues.
Tunisia: Language Choices
In this post entitled Arabic, French or English: for “whom” the bell tolls? the Third Ijtihad talks about the use of languages in speaking with others.
Tunisia: And They Censored Arabicca!
Tunisian blogger Fatma Arabicca, who was arrested two months ago, decided to resume blogging last week. With only one post on her new blog, authorities swooped in to block it. Tunisian bloggers react to the ban and to the censorship of other blogs as well.
Tunisia: Bloggers Against Student Imprisonment
The recent trials of a group of Tunisian students and their sentencing to prison terms ranging from six months of three years after organizing a sit-in in a university accommodation to claim the right of girl students in housing prompted bloggers to launch a support campaign calling for their freedom, writes Lina Ben Mhenni.
Tunisian Diplomat Dies in Haiti Earthquake
Hedi Annabi, a 66-year-old Tunisian diplomat and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Haiti (Minustah) is thought to be among those who perished in Haiti's violent earthquake. Tunisian bloggers lament his loss.
Tunisia: The White Note Campaign Against Cyber Censorship
Tunisian bloggers organised a White Note Campaign to protest against online censorship on their blogs. One blogger decides to swim against the tide with a Black Note in protest.
Tunisia: Student Jailed for Media Interview
Tunisian activists have started a Facebook group and a blog in support of Mohamed Soudani, 24, who disappeared on October 22, 2009, in Tunisia, after giving interviews to Radio Monte Carlo International and Radio France International. Friends have since learned he was detained and tortured.
Tunisia elections: Fairness and Impartiality !!?
Tunisian President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali won a fifth term with 89.62 per cent of the over all votes. His party, the Democratic Constitutional Rally won 161 out of 214 parliament seats. Tunisian bloggers have their say in this post.
Tunisia: Electoral Campaign Not on Track
Tunisia is gearing up for its presidential elections on October 25. The election campaign started on October 11, but not all political parties and politicians are able to join the fray. Read this post to find out why.
Tunisia: Ammar 404 is Back and Censoring Blogs Again
After a short hiatus, the dreaded Ammar 404 has once again attacked the Tunisian blogosphere. Ammar is the nickname given by Tunisian bloggers to the censorship machine plaguing their access to the Internet and his victim this time is Zig Zag blog by 3amrouch. Tunisian bloggers show solidarity with their colleague by reprinting the material which blocked his blog in the first place.
Tunisia: Call to Embrace Work Ethics on Labour Day
May 1st marked International Labour Day around the world and Tunisian bloggers grasped the occasion to comment on the situation of workers and encourage some of them to give up laziness and embrace better work ethics. Lina Ben Mhenni has the story.