Study shows more Internet control wanted in MENA

Although social media is an important resource for Internet users in the MENA region, over 50% of Internet users support government controls, in spite of concerns about surveillance, privacy and freedom of expression, according to concern over study showing more Internet control desired in MENA – referring to Media Use in the Middle East by Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) – which goes on to note: ‘“We don’t find public support for freedom of expression,” Lina Ejeilat, the co-founder and executive editor of 7iber.com in Jordan – an online news publication that started out of citizen journalism – said. She added that the MENA region lacks a tradition of upholding press freedom and recognising other legal measures that can that can hold media accountable without enforcing restriction.’