BENGHAZI, Libya—Several men were debating in sign language recently by a building here where people once studied Col. Moammar Gadhafi's socialist utopia ideology.

Like most symbols of the old regime in this rebel capital, the building was set alight at the start of the uprising in February, its huge Soviet-era sculptural reliefs defaced with anti-Gadhafi graffiti.

Now, an association for the deaf and hearing impaired has turned the structure into a makeshift meeting place, one example of how ordinary Libyans in the rebel-controlled east are expressing themselves in ways they never dreamed possible four months ago.

Internet service was cut off by the regime at the start of the crisis but some Libyans have resorted to other media. In Benghazi, there are more than two dozen new publications, six radio stations, a local TV station and several new music bands. There is a fresh sense of civic duty with new nongovernmental organizations sprouting each day.

Before the uprising, all media outlets and major NGOs across the entire country were controlled by Col. Gadhafi and his family. Most forms of public expression had to be vetted by security services and committees of zealous regime ideologues.

The rebel leadership is highlighting this new openness to bolster its credentials. Last month, Catherine Ashton, foreign policy chief for the European Union, opened an office here and marveled at the local media scene.

But barriers remain to satiate the opposition's hunger to shape the future and step out of the shadow of the man who has dominated Libya's public life for more than four decades.

Col. Gadhafi still controls large swaths of the country including the capital, Tripoli, and the public debate remains highly polarized, with rebels dividing society between "supporters of the Feb. 17 revolution" and its real or perceived enemies, dubbed "the fifth column" or "the tyrant's men."

The limits of the newly gained freedom in Benghazi are already being tested in a city now awash with arms and militia-like rebel units, where some leaders lack tolerance for inquisitive minds, calls for accountability, or dissent.

Recently, an argument triggered a shootout that killed four and attacks on several homes and properties while a high-ranking officer who served in the security forces before the uprising was gunned down as he left a mosque.

This tug of war between the promise of democracy and the challenges of transition in eastern Libya could presage what the whole country would have to grapple with once Col. Gadhafi leaves power.

"I think Moammar's [Gadhafi] departure is the easiest step, what comes after is more difficult," said Mohammed Shembesh, 22, who along with a group of friends founded a weekly newspaper called Sawt, meaning voice in Arabic.

He said his goal was to create an outlet for young people like himself who felt sidelined by the rebels' political leadership—consisting mainly of men over 40—despite having bore the brunt of Col. Gadhafi's bloody crackdown.

Mr. Shembesh wanted to involve his readers in shaping the paper and the debate. Lacking email, he solicited participation by placing a drop box outside the central beachfront courthouse—home to the first provisional government after Benghazi fell to rebel hands and the city's main gathering place.

In a recent edition of Sawt, one article polls people on their views about the segregation of women behind an iron fence during rallies and events held in front of the courthouse.

"I am against it because there must be change in people's mentality and they must become accustomed to the fact that women and men are present everywhere," says a female resident.

Mohammed Tarhouni, an author and literary critic, says Libyans must recast their identities in a country with virtually no democratic tradition. "We must show Libya's true face," Mr. Tarhouni said. "Libya is not just a Kalashnikov; Libya has been in the dark politically, historically and culturally."

There are pleas for a break with the past in almost every way. During a recent debate about the role of NGOs in society, law professor Hala al-Atrash listed the virtually insurmountable barriers to setting one up under Col. Gadhafi's regime.

"It's hard to believe that these requirements were issued in our age," she told a mixed audience at Qar Younes University's school of medicine here, as students armed with hunting rifles and AK47s registered participants outside. Ms. Atrash said the rebels' governing entity, the National Transitional Council and any post-Gadhafi government must ensure they do not erect similar barriers to NGOs in the name of national security or other excuses. "These are questions that come to the forefront during the revolution that's happening now," she said.

For now, most of the council's leaders would rather be spared the difficult questions. Their meetings are held in secret and when they do speak to the media, they usually favor television channels like Qatar-based al-Jazeera, where they have an ample platform to air their views without being pressed too hard.

The overriding theme on the rebels' own channel, Libya Al-Ahrar, which beams from Qatar, is the intensity of hate toward the Gadhafi regime. "I will butcher you if they bring you to me Moammar [Gadhafi]," says one man in a recurring promotion aired on the channel.

One Benghazi resident said he initially supported the uprising but has now been put off by rising militancy among rebels and the polarized atmosphere. "The situation in Benghazi is the flipside of what's happening in Tripoli," he said.

In Tripoli any hint of dissent is quickly stamped out by security forces and regime loyalists who patrol almost every alleyway while government channels spread misinformation and foment hostility.

Recently hundreds of members of the Ferjan tribe took to the streets of Benghazi firing heavy weapons into the air to dispel what they said were lies being spread by a pro-regime television commentator in Tripoli about their lingering loyalty to Col. Gadhafi.

Ahmed Khalifa, a correspondent for Libya al-Ahrar in Benghazi, said chaos in the post-Gadhafi era was inevitable, but predicted it would be temporary.

He used to host a popular radio show titled "Good Evening Benghazi" which he said was personally ordered off the air by Col. Gadhafi for being too critical.

"There's an unbelievable thirst for freedom among Libyans," Mr. Khalifa said.