Magharebia launches new discussion forum Zawaya

06/05/2009

The new, interactive Zawaya service provides a space for thoughtful and intelligent discussion.

[zawaya.magharebia.com] To satisfy readers' desire for greater participation, Magharebia presents Zawaya to be a pioneer in today's interactive media.

Magharebia unveiled a new service Wednesday (May 6th) to engage readers more thoroughly on matters important to the Maghreb region and to involve them in news and issues. Zawaya will serve as a platform for a vibrant exchange of ideas and opinions.

Zawaya panellists hail from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and soon, from Mauritania. Specialists in their areas of work, they come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds. They are experts in human rights, human development issues, democratisation, and women's rights. They include educators, national newspaper editors-in-chief, lawyers, union organisers and private sector executives.

Each week, Magharebia will suggest a topic inspired by current developments in the region or derived from key issues concerning life in Maghreb countries and ask the distinguished panellists to give their opinions. The articles will be published on the website.

Readers will have the chance to comment on the chosen topic, react to the opinions expressed by the panellists and engage in a healthy discussion with each other or with the experts. The articles and comments will be published in Magharebia's three languages: Arabic, French and English.

The new discussion forum is the latest effort by Magharebia to promote freedom of speech and public involvement on the region's key issues.

Zawaya was generated as a direct response to an online survey conducted by Magharebia in October 2007. To satisfy readers' desire for greater participation, Magharebia presents this platform to be a pioneer in today's interactive media.

In order to maintain a healthy discussion and protect readers from spam comments, Zawaya will be available only to registered users. Readers are also encouraged to carefully read Zawaya's user and comments policies, which are provided for their protection.

"We're excited about this new feature," said Magharebia's editor-in-chief. "Zawaya gives our readers another venue to discuss issues that matter to them."