The struggle over the public spaces of internet: Maroc Telecom
States always try to control the public sphere. Sometimes it concerns messages that incite hatred or more subtle (?) by allowing only state controlled press or by banning certain movies. The internet therefore is always a challenge for states, whether it concerns democratic states or authoritarian states. The possibility for internet users to spread their own messages for example via Youtube or their own blogs, is a way to circumvent state control. No wonder states also try to control the internet. Reports over censorship are abundant: Youtube and Thailand, Google and China, Youtube and US, and we can go on.
A new episode in this continuous struggle over the internet as a public space for communication and contestation, can be found in Morocco. Dutch-Moroccan blogger Youssef living in London pointed me to the case of Maroc Telecom, a French-run internet provider, that blocks access to Youtube. Websites such as Google Earth and Livejournal have been blocked already. According to Youssef:
The King and the government told us about their new steps towards openness. Some steps were taken indeed but recently it seems that Morocco is sliding back to a state where media is heavily censored.
Not only the traditional media but also web-based media are being attacked.The state of Morocco tries to portray itself as a liberal and open muslim country. An example for the rest of the Middle East and North Africa.
There is no reason in keeping up this charade if in the meantime the government practices the same tactics as the other countries in the region.
The king & government have to realize that progress is not only words. Saying that you’re progressing is not enough. You actually have to take action to progress.
Youssef is actively trying to remove the ban on Youtube, as do other bloggers as you can read on Global Voices (by Sami Ben Gharbia – a Dutch Tunesian blogger). You can also stay updated at MidEast Youth and Mashable.com. You can find the petition here. The considerable attention and actions of all these bloggers show that it is very difficult for a state to control everything; the state’s power is almost never absolute but instead challenged and contested. Moreover because for every internet restriction there will be at least one person who is trying to circumvent these restrictions as Youssef also clearly shows.