HERE’S AN A.P. WRAPUP on the Tunisia Internet conference:

Another thread of concern was keeping the Internet a forum for free speech and dissent.

“It is vital that the Internet remain a neutral medium open to all in order to realize that access for our citizens,” John Marburger, director of the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, said in a not-so-subtle swipe at Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Tunisia’s selection as the host of the summit has raised eyebrows. On Thursday, the head of Reporters Without Borders was ordered out of the country after arriving at the airport. Earlier this week, human rights groups said Tunisian and foreign reporters had been harassed and beaten.

“It is the role of governments to ensure that this freedom of expression is available to its citizens and not to stand in the way of people seeking to send and receive information across the Internet,” Marburger said.

Indeed.