[GSDI Legal Econ] Google Earth spurs Bahraini equality drive

[Kate Lance]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/d14d3576-7bfa-11db-b1c6-0000779e2340,_i_email=y.html
Google Earth spurs Bahraini equality drive
Since Bahrain’s government blocked the Google Earth website earlier this year for its intrusion into private homes and royal palaces, Googling their island kingdom has become a national pastime for many Bahrainis.... cyber-activists seized on the view it gave of estates and private islands belonging to the ruling al-Khalifa family to highlight the inequity of land distribution in the tiny Gulf kingdom.

“Some of the palaces take up more space than three or four villages nearby and block access to the sea for fishermen. People knew this already. But they never saw it. All they saw were the surrounding walls,” said Mr Yousif, who is seen in Bahrain as the grandfather of its blogging community.
He and other activists believe creative use of the internet – connectivity in Bahrain is among the highest in the Arab world – is forcing the country to confront awkward realities and will speed the march towards a more egalitarian society. 
 
[Source: Financial Times online]


 
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