Freedom, in its various manifestations, has always been a fundamental demand of peoples. However, it simultaneously remains a problematic concept that carries great challenges. In the modern era, with the evolution of communication methods and the spread of digital space, freedom of expression has gained unprecedented momentum, prompting questions about the limits of this freedom and the necessity of regulating it to ensure it does not devolve into chaos. In the Arab world, where degrees of freedom vary from country to country, the crisis of freedom of expression is vividly evident, as it clashes with a political and social reality that seeks to control it, against an almost unrestrained electronic space.

Freedom as a Human Value: Between the Absolute and the Restricted
Freedom is a complex concept; it does not mean chaos or absolute liberty without responsibility. Freedom, especially freedom of expression, should be linked to standards that protect individual and collective rights. When freedom becomes a tool for infringing on others or threatening societal stability, it loses its intrinsic value as a building block in the social system. Thus, modern states strive to find a balance between ensuring individuals' rights to express their opinions and protecting social peace from the excesses that may arise from this right.

In democratic societies, freedom of expression is organized according to legal controls aimed at preventing incitement to hatred or violence, protecting privacy, and avoiding the dissemination of false news that may harm the public interest. In contrast, in some other societies, particularly in the Arab world, the restrictions imposed on freedom of expression go beyond mere regulation to attempts to control the public sphere and prevent any critical discourse against authority, which enhances public frustration and limits the development of critical and creative thought.

Freedom of Expression in the Arab World: Between Repression and Digital Outburst
Freedom of expression in the Arab world suffers from a significant paradox. On one hand, political regimes impose strict restrictions on traditional media and the public sphere. On the other hand, individuals find in social media a release for expression that was previously unavailable to them. This contradiction has led to the emergence of new forms of social movement, as individuals are now capable of transcending official censorship through digital platforms.

However, this absolute space provided by social media comes with significant challenges. In the absence of institutional oversight, some social platforms become arenas of chaos, where false news, hate speech, and sectarian and political incitement spread. This open space may also be used as a tool to suppress freedoms themselves through campaigns of defamation and moral assassination of dissenters, creating an unhealthy environment for public discourse.

Challenges Related to the Absence of Regulations in Digital Space
In the Arab world, the digital space presents a dual challenge to freedom of expression. On one hand, it provides individuals with broad freedoms that they may not find in traditional media. On the other hand, the absence of fair and just legislation makes this space a double-edged sword. The most notable challenges can be summarized in the following points:

 
1. Spread of False News and Media Misinformation: With the absence of effective oversight, it has become easy to manipulate information, leading to public misinformation and inciting chaos.  
2. Hate Speech and Extremism: Some parties use the digital space to disseminate content that incites violence or entrenches social divisions, threatening societal stability.  
3. Political Exploitation of Digital Space: Some regimes resort to using social media as a tool to monitor dissenters or to sway public opinion through electronic armies.  
4. Threats to Privacy and Digital Security: In the absence of laws protecting user privacy, individuals are exposed to digital breaches or prosecution due to their opinions.

Towards a Balanced Model of Freedom of Expression in the Arab World  
The solution to the crisis of freedom of expression in the Arab world does not lie in imposing strict censorship or in unrestrained liberty but in achieving a balance that ensures responsible freedom of expression within a framework that respects individual and community rights. To achieve this, efforts must focus on:  
1. Reforming Laws Related to Freedom of Expression: Legislation should protect individuals' rights to express their views without fear of punishment while preventing incitement to violence or hatred.  
2. Promoting Independent Media: Arab countries need free media institutions that ensure the transparent flow of information without subjugation to political or economic authority.  
3. Enhancing Digital Awareness: It is essential to promote a culture of responsible use of social media so that individuals can distinguish between accurate and misleading news.  
4. Developing Independent Community Oversight Mechanisms: Instead of relying on state oversight, independent bodies can be established to monitor media content according to professional.

 

In conclusion, the crisis of freedom and freedom of expression in the Arab world reflects the complexities of the relationship between authority and society, as well as between traditional values and the demands of the digital age. While the electronic space provides a new outlet for expression, it simultaneously presents challenges that require wise solutions that balance freedom of opinion with social responsibility.

Finding a balanced model for freedom of expression in the Arab world cannot be achieved without substantial reforms that promote free media, raise digital awareness, and enact legislation that protects rights without becoming a repressive tool. Without responsible freedom, societies cannot progress or achieve true stability.

Kifah Mahmoud