Unrest in the Middle East

What an eventful month it’s been in the Middle East.

At least 10 people died in a flood in Jeddah, a heavy sandstorm blanketed skyscrapers in Dubai, and strong aftershocks of a 7.2 magnitude quake rocked The Gulf.

Oh…by “eventful” you thought I was referring to the revolution(s)? I guess the region’s shifting political power can also swamp remnants, becloud prospects, and shake structures.

After Tunisia’s ex-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country he ruled for 23 years, many anticipated a domino effect. And so far, that revolution seems to be sparking others.

Local and international media outlets have been following Egypt’s unrest and scurrying to report breaking news. But coverage is inadequate.

Above cartoon is from www.zapiro.com

Citizen journalism is not given the chance to play its part. Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution extensively used social networking sites, but mainstream media cannot rely on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube to find top stories about the Egyptian uprising. Mubarak ordered the disruption of telephone and internet services.

Al Jazeera stepped up, played a key role in reporting the Egyptians’ unrest and even offered its news to other networks for free, but Egypt’s satellite Nilesat cut off its broadcasting signal today. Authorities revoked Al Jazeera's license to broadcast from the country in an attempt to silence its reporters.

Nile TV and other Egyptian networks are airing shots of empty streets and quiet cities, instead of images of angry protestors and banners that order Mubarak’s departure. How long will it take Mubarak and other oppressors to realize that freedom to disseminate information is a pillar of justice? People have had it with oppression.

Protests have already erupted in Algeria, Jordan and Yemen. The domino effect is gearing up. Regardless of the causes and political demands of these unrests, citizens are after basic civil rights: better infrastructure, more job opportunities, less corruption.

Time will tell who the next Ben Ali may be. And at the rate events are unfolding, we might not have to wait long to find out.