loughtec Ltd

Arrests predicted to increase in ‘08

An increasing number of bloggers are being arrested for criticizing governments and exposing human rights abuse, according to a report from the University of Washington.

Since 2003, 64 citizens have been arrested for expressing their views on a blog. In 2007 three times as many people were arrested for blogging about political issues than in 2006. Over half of the arrests in the last five years were made in China, Egypt and Iran.

The report said the increasing number of arrests was evidence of the "growing" political importance of blogging. It found that arrests typically increase in times of "political uncertainty," like elections or large protests.

Many bloggers faced jail time after being arrested. The average prison sentence for blogging was 15 months. The longest sentence was eight years.

The actual number of bloggers who are arrested is probably higher, since many arrests in China, Zimbabwe, and Iran are not reported. For example the Committee to Protect Bloggers has released details about 344 people arrested in Burma, some who are thought to be bloggers.

The report said that many countries, possibly as many as 30, have implemented technological restrictions on what people can do online. In countries such as China this has made it challenging for people to use a blog as a way to protest.

The report estimated that the number of bloggers arrested in 2008 would surpass the 36 seen in 2007 due to the popularity of blogging, more enforcement of online restrictions, and elections in China, Pakistan, Iran and the U.S.

posted by cathal @ 13:51

Economy doubts hit consumer technology retail

Consumer spending on new technology is likely to plummet as consumers' confidence in the economy plunges to record lows, the British Retail Consortium - the retailers' trade body - said today.

British Retail Consortium (BRC) director general Stephen Robertson said one in five consumers, more than ever before, said consumers were reporting having no spare cash. "Clothes, footwear, furniture and new technology are the biggest casualties as consumers attempt to manage their money," he said.

Mike Watkins, senior manager of retailer services at Nielsen, said the UK Consumer Confidence index was now at 79. "This time last year the index stood at 91, which was the lowest score we had seen since we began polling this survey in 2003. That the score is a further 12 points lower says how much consumers are being stretched," he said.

A survey last month by market research company Nielsen and the BRC asked over 1,000 consumers about their thoughts and feelings on job prospects, personal finances, spending intentions and major concerns.
People are most worried about the economy (31%), followed by debt (26%), work/life balance (20%) and immigration (16%).

It found 55% ranked inflation as their main concern while 39% said it was high interest rates. Sixty percent said job prospects were either not so good or bad compared with 50% in 2007. Fifty-seven percent now think that their own personal finances will be not so good or bad over the coming 12 months compared with 46% six months ago.

posted by cathal @ 14:11