LONDON: Online activists specializing in hacking have joined forces with HackerSpace, a group of leading digital activists for the freedom of information, to establish projects aimed at opening up online information in the country in the post-revolution atmosphere. In comments published by Tunisia Live, Ali Hentati, a 25-year-old member of the project, hopes the project can help boost citizens awareness and access to all forms of online information. “We are creating a space of open source information enabling every citizen to actively partake in the information gathering, editing and sharing process. It is an excellent idea to better structure the new emerging concept of “citizen-journalism” we are all joining efforts to establish long-term sustainable strategies to guarantee the maximum amount of information freedom,” he said. The same report said that HackerSpace is an open-source community of people who are coming together in order to develop ideas and participate in projects together “for the betterment of Tunisian society.” Tunis-based Nawaat Media group, an independent platform for bloggers and independent citizen journalists in Tunisia, has opened their workspace to empower the initiative. “Nawaat has believed in the idea and is supporting us not only by opening wide their offices' doors but also by providing us with needed equipment,” explained Ali. Although the group has a membership of 25 active members, according to Ali the group is growing and developing membership day after day, ”the Tunisian Open source community is attracting more and more students, pupils and cyber activists.” While the group of activists are not planning to hack any websites in the country, they hope the name will jumpstart a discussion on the efficacy of online information and the government's crackdown on activists during the previous regime, which was ousted in January after a popular revolt. According to media observer and blogger Munir Reda, “this is an interesting initiative that could have great impact on the ground and with local Tunisian sites.” He told Bikyamasr.com that “to create a truly open-source endeavor is difficult and the key will be if they can maintain this pressure as the country moves forward.” The group recently held their first meeting. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/ci3Bv Tags: Activists, Hackers, Information Section: Latest News, Media, Tech, Tunisia
