There has been considerable discussion in traditional media and the blogosphere about the role social media are playing in the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Keep an eye on what the writers in our blogroll and others are writing. Today's New York Times has a story about the decision of the Egyptian government to shut off internet access. I've hyperlinked it above; here's the full link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/technology/internet/29cutoff.html
An update: Here is another Times article (from the Week in Review) that emphasizes the role of social media in social change. I've hyperlinked and provided the full link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/weekinreview/30shane.html?hp
As these articles show, social media can be a double-edged sword. Not only can it be a means for the silenced to gain a voice, but it can also be used as a tool of oppression by oppressive regimes.
ReplyDeleteIn Tehran, social media was touted as a champion of liberty and freedom of speech. I am interested to see how events unfold in Egypt and are handled by conventional media, especially considering Egypt is a regime supported by the United States, and Iran, most obviously, was not.