Internet Censorship and the Intraregional Geopolitical Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa

20 Pages Posted: 26 Jan 2019

See all articles by Helmi Noman

Helmi Noman

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Date Written: January 2019

Abstract

This study examines and maps Internet filtering practices around intraregional geopolitics in the Middle East and North Africa based on empirical data collected from 16 countries. The study finds that state censors employ technical Internet filtering as instruments to prevent content aligned with their rival states from reaching a domestic audience. The Internet filtering practices reflect the inter-state political rivalries, the contours of the geopolitical violent and nonviolent conflicts, and the political alliances around the conflicts. State-to-state geopolitical Internet filtering is becoming the new norm in the region, which is a stage of multiple adversarial political fronts. The blocked content contains counter-framing from rival sources that could potentially inform internal dissent and debate.

Suggested Citation

Noman, Helmi, Internet Censorship and the Intraregional Geopolitical Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (January 2019). Berkman Klein Center Research Publication No. 2019-1, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3315708 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3315708

Helmi Noman (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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