ARIJ Network, in collaboration with the Internet Society, organized a webinar titled “How Do We Investigate Internet Shutdowns in the Arab World?” on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The session brought together 85 journalists from over 26 countries across the Arab region and beyond.
Dr. Hanna Kreitem, Senior Advisor for Internet Technology and Development at the Internet Society for the MENA region, led the session. With more than 15 years of experience in digital rights and technical training, Qreitem offered a comprehensive overview of internet shutdowns, defining them as “deliberate disruptions of internet communications aimed at controlling the flow of information.” Eman Qaisi, Senior Researcher at ARIJ moderated the discussion.
The webinar addressed the growing threat of internet shutdowns in the Arab world, particularly during sensitive periods such as elections and national exams. According to the Internet Society Pulse, more than 240 shutdown incidents have been recorded since 2018 in countries such as Iraq and Syria, with five Arab countries ranking among the top ten globally for such disruptions.
The session explored the various forms and methods of internet shutdowns—ranging from full blackouts to throttling and data service disruptions—and the different contexts in which they occur, including protests, conflicts, and political events. Hanna also introduced trusted tools and platforms for monitoring these incidents, including:
The participants praised the session for its clarity and relevance.
– Doha Ibrahim from Jordan shared:
“The trainer offered clear explanations that helped us understand the tools used to track internet shutdowns, backed by real-world examples that made the concepts easier to grasp. The interactive environment encouraged everyone to participate and ask questions.”
“An outstanding session on a critical topic. The trainer conveyed complex technical concepts simply and positively, while effectively addressing participants’ questions.”
This webinar is part of ARIJ’s ongoing efforts to equip Arab journalists with advanced digital tools and knowledge to investigate internet-related violations and uphold digital rights across the region.
