A discussion on the impact new media has on the of world politics. An exploration into the important role new media played during the recent uprising in Egypt and consequential ousting of Hosni Mubarak.
1.0 New Media in Egypt: A Western view of an Eastern culture
The Signs of Egypt's Revolution
1.1 Techno-Utopia?
The role of new media in politics is well established in the west, and has become an essential tool for any political party, lobbyist, or free thinking individual. However, we must note the recent importance of new media and the Internet to Eastern authoritarian countries such as Egypt. While we in the West sit comfortably in our lounge rooms speculating on the turmoil in Egypt and applauding the courage of the revolutionaries and their strength to speak out, we neglect to see the full picture.
Historically, Western cultures have marveled at the wonder of new media and the Internet for giving activists, like those in Egypt, a voice. As Evgeny Morozov highlights in his article, Digital Dictatorship, Western society continues to uphold the myth of the techno-utopia1; 2; 3. However it is far from the reality of many Egyptians, who have sacrificed and suffered at the hands of dictators and the "freedom of the internet". While we maintain that new media has had positive ramifications within Egypt, we must acknowledge the darker side of this medium, and how those with power and influence can wield the Internet as a weapon against those who initially sought refuge in its freedom.
1.2 Why the need to communicate this way? What was the inspiration?
The surge of communication via the internet and social networking sites during the uprising, were deemed necessary by Egypt nationals. It was necessary for their situation to be broadcast to the world, and for the information flooding in and out of Egypt to be completely transparent. In the eyes of the Egyptian activists, using new media was a pathway to democracy. As Michael Gurstein highlights in his article, "Egypt: From the Iron Rule of Tyranny to the Law of Oligarchy: Can ICT Change the Rules?", the Egyptian uprising was especially unique in it's use of new media and the Internet to communicate globally4; 5. Prior censorship, and government controlled traditional media, had previously kept things 'under wraps', however this new form of communication along with the world wide reach of the internet inspired many to let their own voice be heard.
2.0 New Media in Egypt: The nature of the revolution and the revolutionaries
2.1 New media tactics used
The face of Egypt's Revolution
While a variety of new media tactics were used to promote solidarity and to communicate to the rest of the world, the most notable and effective were the deeply personal stories shared via social networking sites. These stories encouraged solidarity amongst Egyptian nationals, and inspired many additional pages, blogs and websites. This resonates with what traditional media would have perceived as successful campaigns - the particular stories that evoke strong emotional responses from the audience. Even now, these tactics have endured, where it is merely the medium used to broadcast these stories that has changed.
Having said that, it is important to note that pre-revolutionary traditional media would have failed to report on many of the stories that have now been so infamously associated with the revolution. It is the Internets' unbiased and politically-free environment which eventually lead to these stories being exposed. Furthermore, the immediacy of the new medium (the Internet) is what encouraged such a quick response during the uprising, and it is the honesty of the Internet that ensured the stories and campaigns had a global reach.
This Facebook groupwas formed in the aftermath of Said's death6. The account was created by Wael Ghonim(Google Executive) in association with Adbul Rahman Mansour(Egyptian activist)7; 8. The group aimed to highlight the growing discontent among Egyptian nationals.
Asmaa Mahfouzposted a video online in which she asked people to publicly protest against violation of human rights9. Her original video was removed only to be replaced by replications of this viral call to action. Mahfouz was eventually charged for "defaming the Egyptian Miliary rulers". The charges were later dropped.
3.0 The future for new media in politics
The Future of New Media?
3.1 Egypt's future
The participants in the recent uprising have clearly shown the necessity of new media in politics for their country. It is clear that authoritarian leaders, such as Mubarak, view new media and it's democratic nature as a threat. Should another Mubarak take the lead in Egypt, we would no doubt see the same knee-jerk reaction to new media as we have just witnessed in this revolution. It has been suggested that such extreme censorship is merely exacerbating the citizens' unrest, potentially encouraging people to take physical action. This was noted by Prof Adel Iskandar, where he believes that activists may, "put down their Facebook and take this revolution to the street."10 It is predicted that in the future, new media will unite the Eastern and Western society, but in its catalytic effect on the public's response to political issues.
The role of new media in politics is well established in the west, and has become an essential tool for any political party, lobbyist, or free thinking individual. However we must note the recent importance of new media and the internet to eastern authoritarian countries such as Egypt. While we in the west sit comfortably in our lounge rooms speculating on the turmoil in Egypt and applauding the courage of the revolutionaries and their strength to speak out, we neglect to see the full picture.
Historically western cultures have marveled at the wonder of new media and the internet for giving activists, like those in Egypt, a voice. As Evgeny Morozov1 highlights in his article Digital Dictatorship2 western society continues to hold on to the myth of the techno-utopia3. However it is far from the reality of many Egyptians, who have sacrificed and suffered at the hands of dictators and the "freedom of the internet". While we will discuss the positive contribution new media has made to Egypt, we must acknowledge the darker side of this medium, and how those with power and influence can wield the internet as a weapon against those who initially sought refuge in its "freedom".
World of Politics
Table of Contents
A discussion on the impact new media has on the of world politics. An exploration into the important role new media played during the recent uprising in Egypt and consequential ousting of Hosni Mubarak.
1.0 New Media in Egypt: A Western view of an Eastern culture
1.1 Techno-Utopia?
The role of new media in politics is well established in the west, and has become an essential tool for any political party, lobbyist, or free thinking individual. However, we must note the recent importance of new media and the Internet to Eastern authoritarian countries such as Egypt. While we in the West sit comfortably in our lounge rooms speculating on the turmoil in Egypt and applauding the courage of the revolutionaries and their strength to speak out, we neglect to see the full picture.
Historically, Western cultures have marveled at the wonder of new media and the Internet for giving activists, like those in Egypt, a voice. As Evgeny Morozov highlights in his article, Digital Dictatorship, Western society continues to uphold the myth of the techno-utopia1; 2; 3. However it is far from the reality of many Egyptians, who have sacrificed and suffered at the hands of dictators and the "freedom of the internet". While we maintain that new media has had positive ramifications within Egypt, we must acknowledge the darker side of this medium, and how those with power and influence can wield the Internet as a weapon against those who initially sought refuge in its freedom.
1.2 Why the need to communicate this way? What was the inspiration?
The surge of communication via the internet and social networking sites during the uprising, were deemed necessary by Egypt nationals. It was necessary for their situation to be broadcast to the world, and for the information flooding in and out of Egypt to be completely transparent. In the eyes of the Egyptian activists, using new media was a pathway to democracy. As Michael Gurstein highlights in his article, "Egypt: From the Iron Rule of Tyranny to the Law of Oligarchy: Can ICT Change the Rules?", the Egyptian uprising was especially unique in it's use of new media and the Internet to communicate globally4; 5. Prior censorship, and government controlled traditional media, had previously kept things 'under wraps', however this new form of communication along with the world wide reach of the internet inspired many to let their own voice be heard.
2.0 New Media in Egypt: The nature of the revolution and the revolutionaries
2.1 New media tactics used
While a variety of new media tactics were used to promote solidarity and to communicate to the rest of the world, the most notable and effective were the deeply personal stories shared via social networking sites. These stories encouraged solidarity amongst Egyptian nationals, and inspired many additional pages, blogs and websites. This resonates with what traditional media would have perceived as successful campaigns - the particular stories that evoke strong emotional responses from the audience. Even now, these tactics have endured, where it is merely the medium used to broadcast these stories that has changed.
Having said that, it is important to note that pre-revolutionary traditional media would have failed to report on many of the stories that have now been so infamously associated with the revolution. It is the Internets' unbiased and politically-free environment which eventually lead to these stories being exposed. Furthermore, the immediacy of the new medium (the Internet) is what encouraged such a quick response during the uprising, and it is the honesty of the Internet that ensured the stories and campaigns had a global reach.
2.2 We Are all Khaled Said
This Facebook groupwas formed in the aftermath of Said's death6. The account was created by Wael Ghonim(Google Executive) in association with Adbul Rahman Mansour(Egyptian activist)7; 8. The group aimed to highlight the growing discontent among Egyptian nationals.
2.3 Asmaa Mahfouz
Asmaa Mahfouz posted a video online in which she asked people to publicly protest against violation of human rights9.Her original video was removed only to be replaced by replications of this viral call to action. Mahfouz was eventually charged for "defaming the Egyptian Miliary rulers". The charges were later dropped.
3.0 The future for new media in politics
3.1 Egypt's future
The participants in the recent uprising have clearly shown the necessity of new media in politics for their country. It is clear that authoritarian leaders, such as Mubarak, view new media and it's democratic nature as a threat. Should another Mubarak take the lead in Egypt, we would no doubt see the same knee-jerk reaction to new media as we have just witnessed in this revolution. It has been suggested that such extreme censorship is merely exacerbating the citizens' unrest, potentially encouraging people to take physical action. This was noted by Prof Adel Iskandar, where he believes that activists may, "put down their Facebook and take this revolution to the street."10 It is predicted that in the future, new media will unite the Eastern and Western society, but in its catalytic effect on the public's response to political issues.
4.0 References
5.0 Further reading
- YouTube video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JW3m8uwcL4
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/10/egypt-media-newspapers-mubarak-propagana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4U_fqAZE2g1.1 Techno-Utopia?
The role of new media in politics is well established in the west, and has become an essential tool for any political party, lobbyist, or free thinking individual. However we must note the recent importance of new media and the internet to eastern authoritarian countries such as Egypt. While we in the west sit comfortably in our lounge rooms speculating on the turmoil in Egypt and applauding the courage of the revolutionaries and their strength to speak out, we neglect to see the full picture.
Historically western cultures have marveled at the wonder of new media and the internet for giving activists, like those in Egypt, a voice. As Evgeny Morozov1 highlights in his article Digital Dictatorship2 western society continues to hold on to the myth of the techno-utopia3. However it is far from the reality of many Egyptians, who have sacrificed and suffered at the hands of dictators and the "freedom of the internet". While we will discuss the positive contribution new media has made to Egypt, we must acknowledge the darker side of this medium, and how those with power and influence can wield the internet as a weapon against those who initially sought refuge in its "freedom".