When UC Berkeley journalism graduate student James Buck flew into Egypt late last month, he was there to observe how the nation’s emerging blogosphere serves as an alternative to the mainstream press.

But when police detained the freelance photographer in a town outside Cairo, his research trip quickly became a real-life lesson in the powers of the Web.

Minutes after police took Buck and his translator into custody, Buck began text messaging terse, informative updates to his Twitter:

“Arrested” 06:33 PM April 10, 2008
“Still holding us no charges very scared for my translator ” 10:40 PM April 10, 2008
“Taking us to general prosecutor, charging mhmd” 11:21 PM April 10, 2008
“Mhamed has been an absolute pillar of strength has taken care of me. Many police very kind to us ” 10:11 AM April 11, 2008
“Free” 03:27 PM April 11, 2008
“Call for the release of mohamed maree, my friend and translator, and all detained journalists and political prisoners now “ 04:11 PM April 11, 2008
“being evacuated by the army of University of California. america, fuck yeah… ” 12:12 AM April 12, 2008

Egyptian blogger Hossam el-Hamalawy caught wind of the situation, reporting on his Web site that “US photojournalist and friend James Buck has been arrested two minutes ago in Mahalla.”

Buck relied on his cell phone to communicate with friends and officials, turning it off for stretches of time to preserve the dying battery. Without it, he said he may still be in Mahalla.

“My safety was secured initially by my ability to get (the word) out immediately around the world, thanks to Twitter and SMSing,” he said. “It reaffirms my belief that Web-based journalism and Web-based communications are really important and renews my interest in working in that field, developing those types of networks.”

Now back at home in downtown Oakland, Buck uses JamesKarlBuck.com to call for the release of Mohammad Maree, his translator who remains in custody.

“It is of the utmost importance to me that journalists continue to focus on this region and that free open access to these issues is assured,” Buck said.

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