In Mahmood's Den
Back at the beginning of November, the blog of Mahmood Al-Yousef, Bahrain's most famous digital diarist, was blocked by order of the Bahraini Ministry of Information. Immediately, a wave of outrage swept across cyberspace and washed over the Gulf of Bahrain with the result that Mahmood was back online in quick time. His tart observations on the elections that have left Bahrain with an Islamist-dominated parliament were a bit too honest for the authorities.
And it's easy to see why authoritarians would be uncomfortable with such an eloquent voice. Take this brilliant post called "Quickies". The way in which he balances incongruous aspects of everyday life with the more absurd and the disturbing facets of Bahraini politics is worthy of a prize.
Why do fingernails grow faster than toenails?
How come all the newly elected General Voting Centres' MPs got in with percentiles lower than 56% (1st round wins)?
How come a King of Hearts is the only king in the deck without a moustache?
How come most if not all of the Menber candidates who were "selected", slipped in by the votes cast in General Voting Centres?
How come we are a kingdom and our king has not gone through coronation?
Will we ever be treated to a Royal Golden Carriage and a coronation ceremony?
How come a chicken cannot fly for more than 13 seconds?
Why didn't the Ministry of Islamic Affairs not prosecute a single preacher for breaking the law and telling his congregation who to vote for?
Will they sell china services with a newly crowned king on them if and when this happens?
If an astronaut cries in space, do tears float or flow down their faces?
Why is it not a crime to call someone a heretic? Especially as that could be the literal death penalty for the accused?
How come opposite sides of a dice cube always add up to seven?
If there is to be a coronation, can I get the job of placing the crown?
This kind of satirical juxtaposition is worthy of a Swift. When you look at the hurdles faced by Mahmood Al-Yousef and his brave response, it is obvious that blogging can be a political act and a true expression of freedom. Contrast this with the emptiness of Michael Kinsley's take on today's medium of the opinionated or David Selbourne's hysteria about the phenomenon and it becomes clear that traditional reportage is jaded and its practitioners are increasingly clueless. Journalists who hope that a new generation of media proprietors will protect them from an unappreciative market and thousands of talented competitors while allowing things to go on as before are deluding themselves.
