While Twitter and Facebook were essential to the revolutions of 2011 in Egypt and Tunisia, but their impact is often exaggerated. Social Media helped immensely with resource mobilization. For example, according to The Guardian, in Egypt a twelve page guide for resisting the regime was distributed by email, and demonstrations were arranged through Twitter and Facebook. Also, if people are considered resources, according to The Guardian, social media gave a voice to even the most marginalized groups in society and helped them participate in the rebellion. The rebels were also able to counter hegemonic discourse through social media by posting pictures of people killed at rallies that would not have been spread otherwise. The circulation of these images helped people to discredit the regime.
However, at one point the movement had to function without social media, when the regime cut off all internet and 3G in the country after the forces of social media became too strong. This act exemplifies the regime's strong willingness to repress the rebellion. However, during this time, rebels communicated through hand held signs that displayed the times of demonstrations. Eventually their movement was successful. While social media did contribute immensely to the credibility and efficiency of the movement, the movement itself was able to function without the various social media platforms.
I definitely agree with your point that although social media played an important role in these movements, its role has been exaggerated. It's interesting that you mention how internet and 3G were cut off throughout the country-this goes to show the lengths the regime was willing to go to suppress any sort of rebellion.
ReplyDeleteI think you are correct that social media's role has been exaggerated, but at the same time it is what rallied that masses to protest and take part. I think your point about 3G being cut off and hand signals being used was interesting, but it is also important to note that those things took place after everyone was already mobilized.
ReplyDeleteI think that you are correct when you say that social media's role had been exaggerated, although it was a crucial component to the mobilizations in Egypt and Tunisia. Without the use of social media I think the Arab Spring would not have been as internationally recognized, or even known around many parts of the world. I think that when the 3G was disconnected, this played a crucial point in why Egypts protests were not as effective.
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