Bloggers for Democracy

On December 5th, European Greens organized "Bloggers for Democracy" conference at the European Parliament. I was invited as a guest speaker to talk about my experience as a blogger in the context of Azerbaijan. There were other really incredible and prominent bloggers on the same panel, as Sarrah Abdelrahman from Egypt, Oleg Kaschin from Russia and Michael Anti from China.We talked about our countries, our political contexts, revolutions, human rights and freedom of expression. 

But as always, it was the Q&A session that brought a lot more into the discussion. I will write on that more later but for now, if you missed it, if you weren't there, you can watch it below (bloggers presentations are part 2). 

The School of Authentic Journalism

Perhaps the highlight of my year so far has been my time spent at the School of Authentic Journalism (SAJ or J-school). Imagine a group of fascinating people from pretty much around the world coming together to learn, work, teach, share and experience during a 10 day intense educational voyage to the world of authentic journalism. Yea, I know, kind of hard to imagine.

This year, the school was held in Mexico, which made the whole experience even more special. For me the time spent there turned into a great opportunity to talk to some of the most interesting and inspirational people from various corners of the world.

The school runs on funds raised throughout the year. You can support the cause by contributing here and read more on the school and Narco News here.   

Some of this year's speakers included people like Ivan Marovic- founder of Serbian Otpor movement that brought down Milosevic; Oscar Olivera- one of the main protestors during Bolivia's water privatization and many more. Click here to see other speakers.

Above all, what makes this school unique experience is its approach to the field of journalism. This year split in three different workshop groups- investigative and online journalism, viral video/audio group the school hosted 40 scholars and about 40 professors. But its not your usual school, here at the school of authentic journalism scholars and professors learn from each other during workshops, free time, and plenary sessions. You shouldn't be surprised if at some point someone would like to interview you either for their paper, project or idea. Its a chance to pass on your message and hear many others speak about a number of different issues. 

I am actually several months late in writing this post but I wanted to take this opportunity and share another great production of that school (to see some of the other creations you can visit here, here, here and here). Among its professors, Andrew Stelzer, an award winning radio producer and news reporter based in Oakland, CA. Working as a producer with the National Radio Project Adrew was one of my highlight individuals to meet at the school. He interviewed me and many others for his Radio Project "Making Contact" and so here it is: "Tales and Tools of Revolution: From Serbia to Egypt" with interviews from Ivan Marovic (Serbia/Otpor); Namees Arnous (Egypt/Journalist); and me (in case, you can't open it here please visit this site to listen to the full program):

Note: During the time of the interview, I knew I would have difficulties coming back to Azerbaijan after the whole March 11th Facebook saga. But I do hope, to travel to Azerbaijan soon, safe and sound.

'Egypt: how we did it, when media would not' (Part 2)

Back in May I shared with you a video prepared by NarcoNews' Al Giordano and Greg Berger on Egypt's revolution in the making. Today, I present you the second part of these series- "The Other Revolution in Egypt: an interview with Mohammed Abbas of the Muslim Brotherhood".

[...] The regime placed that [hatred] in us. It planted in us hatred of each other. It planted in us the idea that we don't like each other so that it could control us...

'Egypt: how we did it, when media would not'

We all knew what was happening there. Some of us were following the story in the news, some on social networks, others were covering the news on the spot. The #jan25 was born there. And what was a building struggle for years became a number one priority for 18 days on the agenda of the international media. Yes, it was the Egyptian Revolution.

In March, exactly one month after the revolution, Al Giordano and Greg Berger went to Egypt in search of what to become a series of videos/ stories featuring some of the key people behind the #jan25- a manual on how civil resistance was built to win. Why? Well, simply because they wanted to know how it was done but more importantly they wanted to show the world how it was done, what was it like and in what circumstances it was happening.

Today, Narco News TV proudly presents its first video in the series of a documentary on Egyptian Revolution.

Azerbaijan and Egypt's First Ladies together building peace

Ok, now, this is something I wasn't expecting to see. The song was apparently written by Suzanne Mubarak and performed by one of the Azerbaijani singers- Tunzala. Its just 'piece of art' isn't it?!

Social Media in the Arab World

Center for International Media Assistance just released a report: Social Media in the Arab World: Leading up to the Uprisings of 2011. Jeffrey Grannam, independent media consultant and the author of the report is someone with much experience working in the Middle East. According to the organization's website, the report was commissioned long before the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab countries. The report looks at the impact, social networks, communication and citizen mobilization and mobile technology had on these revolutions. 

This is a short excerpt from the report. The full version can be accessed here.

Digital communications technologies have expanded the tools available to exercise individual freedom of expression, and Arabs are indeed finding space online to express their opinions and enjoy freedoms that would otherwise be closed off to most. But while Arab Internet users have gained communications and technical capacities to use social networks to mobilize, the real impact won’t be felt for years, maybe even a few decades, observers say, when expectations and political regimes may have changed. For now, to express one’s opinion online, even when not delving into subjects deemed sensitive or traditionally off limits, remains risky in most of the Middle East and North Africa. 

Egypt in 18 days

Al Jazeera's Tarek Bazley looks back at the last 18 days of protests in Egypt. Truly remarkable scenery.

Wael Ghonim's interview broadcast on Egypt's Dream TV

I found this video through latest tweets from RFE/RL's newsroom from a user @golnazes. I was redirected to the Wall Street Journal Blogs site to a post titled "the Interview with Wael Ghonim that Galvanized Protestors". Ever since last night when Ghonim spoke on Egypt's Dream TV I was trying to find his speech with subtitles, and so here it is. 

Ironically, I was actually reading an article about possible spill over effects of protests in Egypt in countries like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Future of Egyptian politics

Wanted to share this video with you:

The revolutionary chants on the streets of Egypt have resonated around the world, but with a popular uprising without a clear direction and an unpopular leader refusing to concede, Egypt's future hangs in the balance. Riz Khan talks to Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan and Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek about the power of popular dissent, the limits of peaceful protest and the future of Egyptian politics.

Egypt or how people interpret Twitter

Sometimes I feel like even Twitter users need to learn what is Twitter for and why or how people use it. You see, as we all know, major revolution was taking place in Egypt over the last week and many people around the world were supporting the cause and were spreading the word with Twitter's help. And it was an incredible source of information for me first hand. 

Other Twitter users (and yes, i am generalizing this time as I am sure there are many of these kind everywhere) think of you as some kind of an agent. 

I received this tweet on January 29th, from a user I don't know saying:

Translation: @arzugeybulla who do you work for spreading all this information about Egypt? (the Tweet is in Azerbaijani)

Strangely, it is not the first time I am asked this question. I just don't understand why is it when I, or anyone else is spreading any kind of information, should be put in box called "affiliation" and be asked this question? Of course, I don't know what this man had on the back of his mind when he was writing this tweet. Maybe it just came out, out of curiosity, or maybe he was truly interested? Either way, I think its the question itself that's bizarre. 

I told the guy that I am simply spreading the information, trying to get the word out there about what's going on in Egypt and that has nothing to do with me working for someone. But I doubt that a person who asked this kind of question in the first place will hardly understand my answer. But will see. If there is anything interesting that comes out of this conversation, surely I will keep you posted on the way it goes. 

Anyway, just wanted to share, who knows, maybe someone had similar experience?