As chairman of CNBC Arabiya, the Arab world’s first and only 24-hour Arabic language financial and business information channel, Zafar Siddiqi reflects on why he is optimistic about burgeoning freedom of expression in the Middle East and suggests what other in-roads need to be made to promote further intellectual freedom in the region Mr. Siddiqi presented the following keynote luncheon address at the “Intellectual Freedom in the Middle East” colloquium hosted by Roger Williams University in April 2008. Continue reading

n response to the question “What is intellectual freedom: when, where, and why is it important?” Owen Kirby highlights the 2002 edition of the UNDP Arab Human Development Report, which makes an urgent call to action for empowering individuals through democratic practices that, Kirby points out, “co-relate” with educational opportunities. In his presentation at the “Intellectual Freedom in the Middle East” colloquium hosted by Roger Williams University in April 2008, Kirby outlines the measures the U.S. State Department has taken to create these opportunities. Continue reading

The strategic approach to a case assigned by PEN varies greatly depending upon the contextual situation. An effective campaign cannot be waged without a thorough understanding of the culture, politics, and legal system of the nation where the imprisonment is taking place. Our class found that we faced very different obstacles when working on Dolma Kyab’s case in China than we did when we began Kareem Amer’s case in Egypt. Differences in religion, law, information flow, foreign policy, and American press coverage have made it imperative that the cases are handled differently. Thus, we have been presented with unique challenges for each case. Continue reading