I think just about everyone knows by now that American resident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi was tortured and brutally murdered two weeks ago after entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey to obtain a marriage license while his fiancée waited for him outside. For the last year he had been employed by The Washington Post, and today, they heartbreakingly published his final column. The first paragraph is from the Post’s Global Opinion editor.
A note from Karen Attiah, Global Opinions editor:
I received this column from Jamal Khashoggi’s translator and assistant the day after Jamal was reported missing in Istanbul. The Post held off publishing it because we hoped Jamal would come back to us so that he and I could edit it together. Now I have to accept: That is not going to happen. This is the last piece of his I will edit for The Post. This column perfectly captures his commitment and passion for freedom in the Arab world. A freedom he apparently gave his life for. I will forever be grateful he chose The Post as his final journalistic home one year ago and gave us the chance to work together.
I was recently online looking at the 2018 “Freedom in the World” report published by Freedom House and came to a grave realization. There is only one country in the Arab world that has been classified as “free.” That nation is Tunisia. Jordan, Morocca, and Kuwait come second, with a classification of “partly free.” The rest of the countries in the Arab world are classified as “not free,”
As a result, Arabs living in these countries are either uninformed or misinformed. They are unable to adequately address, much less publicly discuss, matters that affect the region and their day-to-day lives. A state-run narrative dominates the public psyche, and while many do not believe it, a large majority of the population falls victim to this false narrative. Sadly, this situation is unlikely to change.
The Arab world was ripe with hope during the spring of 2011. Journalists, academics, and the general population were brimming with expectations of a bright and free Arab society within their respective countries. They expected to be emancipated from the hegemony of their governments and the consistent interventions and censorship of information. These expectations were quickly shattered; these societies either fell back to the old status quo or faced even harsher conditions than before.
My dear friend, the prominent Saudi writer Saleh al-Shehi, wrote one of the most famous columns ever published in the Saudi press. He unfortunately is now serving an unwarranted five-year prison sentence for supposed comments contrary to the Saudi establishment. The Egyptian government’s seizure of the entire print run of a newspaper, al-Masry al Youm, did not enrage or provoke a reaction from colleagues. These actions no longer carry the consequence of a backlash from the international community. Instead, these actions may trigger condemnation quickly followed by silence.
As a result, Arab governments have been given free reign to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate. There was a time when journalists believed the Internet would liberate information from the censorship and control associated with print media. But these governments, whose very existence relies on the control of information, have aggressively blocked the Internet. They have also arrested local reporters and pressured advertisers to harm the revenue of specific publications.
There are few oases that continue to embody the spirit of the Arab Spring. Qatar’s government continues to support international news coverage, in contrast to its neighbors’ efforts to uphold the control of information to support the “old Arab order.” Even in Tunisia and Kuwait, where the press is considered at least “partly free,” the media focuses on domestic issues but not issues faced by the greater Arab world. They are hesitant to provide a platform for journalists from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Yemen. Even Lebanon, the Arab world’s crown jewel when it comes to press freedom, has fallen victim to polarization and influence of pro-Iran Hezbollah.
The Arab world is facing its own version of an Iron Curtain, imposed not by external actors but through domestic forces vying for power. During the Cold War, Radio Free Europe, which grew over the years into a critical institution, played an important role in fostering and sustaining the hope of freedom. Arabs need something similar. In 1967, the New York Times and The Pist took joint ownership of the International Herald Tribune newspaper, which went on to become a platform for voices from around the world.
My publication, The Post, has taken the initiative to translate many of my pieces and publish them in Arabic. For that, I am grateful. Arabs need to read in their own language so they can understand and discuss the various aspects and complications of democracy in the United States and the West. If an Egyptian reads an article exposing the actual cost of a construction project in Washington, then he or she would be better able to understand the implications of similar projects in his or her community.
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events. More important, we need to provide a platform for Arab voices. We suffer from poverty, mismanagement and poor education. Through the creation of an independent international forum, isolated from the influence of nationalist governments spreading hate through propaganda, ordinary people in the Arab world would be able to address the structural problems their societies face.
ksbeth said:
thank you for posting this
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s such a tragedy. I hope Mr. Trump does the right thing and responds appropriately.
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robertawrites235681907 said:
A great tragedy, Kim. Thank you for sharing this and bringing it to our attention.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
You’re welcome Roberta.
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bookbeachbunny said:
Thank you for sharing this. I’m not sure I would have read it otherwise.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
The more people who hear about this outrage the better.
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beetleypete said:
Sad indeed, but let’s hope it highlights more issues to do with human rights in Saudi Arabia, and shines a searchlight on the continuing conflict in Yemen. Unfortunately, I feel the Western nations are too complicit with the KSA, because of arms deals and oil. I doubt anything significant will happen as a result of this.
Best wishes, Pete.
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fragglerocking said:
Sadly have to agree with Pete, 😕
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
You’re right Pete. Western governments have been “in bed” with Saudi Arabia’s royal family for decades, and the worst has been the U.S. That’s been through multiple administrations, both Republicans and Democrats.😡
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raistlin0903 said:
I honestly at times don’t know what is going on in the world anymore. Things like these are such a incredible tragedy 😢 No idea what Trump will do, but probably not a lot knowing him 😢😢 This was a wonderful post though Kim…as sad as it is, it’s great that you bring it out in the spotlight like this 😊
Ps…how are you feeling?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
This is horrible Michel. I mean, he was going to get a marriage license.😞 I hope Trump does the right thing, but given his actions so far, and the fact that he has no morals himself, I don’t have much hope.
I’m starting to feel a bit better Michel, thanks. I’ve been sleeping a lot.😴
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raistlin0903 said:
I’m glad to hear that you are starting to feel at least a little bit better Kim. That makes me a little bit less concerned,as honestly I was a bit worried 😊
Yeah…I hope he does too..but I won’t hold my breath for it, that’s for sure..🙁
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Michel. I’m sorry I worried you. 💙
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Dr. Rex said:
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Jamal Khashoggi – October 13, 1958 – October 2, 2018: “What the Arab world needs most is free expression” … he did for the values he held dear!
In my opinion, there are plenty on this side of the world that could learn, embrace and enact his beliefs … if only to honor him!!
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Looking for the Light said:
Freedom of Speech? Not in today’s society.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😞
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Diana said:
Such a tragic thing to happen. I hadn’t read his final post. Thanks for sharing, Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Such a waste.😞
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