RUSHING WESTWARDS:

Talk radio gives Palestinians a voice: Radio shows in Gaza have taken on increased importance since Hamas took over in January (Joshua Mitnick, 5/12/06, The Christian Science Monitor)

In the impoverished coastal strip where the threat of anarchy and internecine violence have filled the vacuum created by the collapse of the central government authority, the talk shows give ordinary Palestinians a stage to rant and challenge politicians. The broadcasts figure as a democratic buttress in a society increasingly ruled by the power of the gun, say analysts.

"The radio is colorful, powerful, and influential. People in Gaza don't have an avenue to express their opinion, so these shows give them an opportunity to talk, to shout, and even to insult," said Omar Shaban, a Gaza-based economic consultant. "This is good because, via the radio, they learn democracy. When they start to express their opinion and talk, people start to become more aware of the issues on the ground."

While retaining an Eastern flavor, In poetry-loving Yemen, tribal bard takes on Al Qaeda - with his verse (James Brandon, 5/12/06, The Christian Science Monitor)

[T]he long and rich history of Yemeni polemical poetry, the idea of using tribal poets to fight extremism began with a chance meeting nearly two years ago, explains Faris Sanabani, a friend of Yemen's president and editor of a weekly English-language newspaper The Yemen Observer.

Leading Yemenis in Sanaa had gathered to chew khat, a narcotic shrub, talk politics, and listen to poetry, Mr. Sanabani recalls. Suddenly, one guest turned to Yemen's most popular tribal poet, Mashreqi, and asked him if he could recite any poetry about terrorism, he says.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 12, 2006 9:19 AM