Most people have at some point heard the expression "the pen is mightier than the sword", but living in a time and place where individual freedom is highly valued, as the vast majority of people reading this post fortunately do, provides limited opportunities for real life experience which demonstrates how true that saying is. In an unfortunate development of current events, however, we are presented with just such a demonstration which clearly shows that the power of the word still commands the utmost respect.

As a major diplomatic crisis is deepening the rift between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, fear of the keyboard which has replaced the pen is glaringly clear. Bahrain have announced that anyone expressing sympathy for Qatar on social media will receive up to five years in prison. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), not to be outdone, announced an astonishing penalty of 15 years in prison along with a $136.000 fine for any online expression of sympathy with Qatar.

While the sword surely would bring its bearer a penalty in this situation as well, it is clear that the pen is seen as the far more dangerous weapon for its potential to spread ideas and incite opposition. This ruthless crackdown on social media exposes the monumental fears of the policymakers and provides us with a modern reminder of the old proverb’s validity.

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/…/man-detained-in-bahrain-for-opp…

Next Chapter: Day 3/100