Background on Arab Uprisings
Transcript: #Feb17 Slim Amamou The Arab Spring’s Cascading Effects Algeria We live in a digital era, thus it is only natural that technology becomes an important tool for civic organization and grassroots democratization However, the role of digital media should not be overemphasized Social media is only a tool to help connect the people that are in the streets Should not assume that face to face communication is more meaningful than text messages, both are equally important Do you think that the attention towards social media’s role in the uprisings creates a negative or positive impact? Helped organize a protest against censorship on May 2010 Was subsequently arrested and tortured for five days Offered a position in the Tunisian transitional government, as Secretary of State of Youth and Sports Later quit his post, stating that focus should be on upcoming elections Reports of Facebook accounts being deleted Government blamed for limiting access to Internet prior to major protests February 17, 2006 - over a dozen protesters killed in Tripoli by police February 17, 2011 - marks beginning of Libyan revolution "We are all Khaled Said" Leader: Hosni Mubarak Start: January 25th, 2011 Status: Protests ongoing June 6, 2011 - Khaled Saeed is beaten to death by police January 25th, 2011 – protests were organized throughout Egypt January 27th, 2011 – internet shut down Mubarak states that he will form a “new government” January 31st, 2011 – new government sworn in February 2nd, 2011 – internet returns February 5th, 2011 – members of the ruling party resign from their positions Does the media exaggerate the role of social media in the revolutions? Tunisia "But right now, we’re planning how to use social media to counter government propaganda that paints protesters as violent, confused youth, misled by “foreign elements” into harming our own country. We need to enter the conversation with people who believe what they’re told on TV, and the best way to do that is using social media to present our arguments in a calm, logical manner." Summary The Role of Social Media in the Arab Uprisings Summary Egypt Do you find that face to face communication is more important than text messaging? Summary Summary Tunisia Leader: Muammar Gaddafi Start: February 17th, 2011 Status: Liberated on October 23rd, 2011 February 16th – human rights activist, Fethi Tarbel arrested, starts riots in Benghazi February 24th – anti-government militias take over central costal city of Mistra February 26th – UN security council imposes sanctions on Gaddafi and his family March 5th – National Transitional Council (NTC) in Benghazi declares themselves sole Libyan representatives March 17th – UN security council votes to authorize no-fly zone over Libya September 24 - NATO forces successfully enter Sirte, one of the few remaining cities still loyal to Gadaffi October 20 - Gadaffi's convoy attacked by NTC forces, he is captured and killed October 28 - NATO announces end of mission in Libya NATO lacks real-time intelligence, preventing them from being aware of possible hideouts Online activists, such as Robert Rowley, have likely provided information leading to successful attacks by NATO: "He also wonders whether his tweets might be connected to the bombing of a Gadhafi communications centre in Tripoli. Combing through satellite images, he noticed that a property listed as a commercial warehouse had a yard containing what appeared to be military vehicles. He published his observations; 10 hours later, the spot was hit by a NATO air strike. “I’m 5,000 miles away,” he said, in an interview before his shift at the ice-cream parlour. “It’s a very weird feeling.”" Why do you think people are so drawn to using social media? The Globe and Mail: How social media users are helping NATO fight Gadhafi in Libya Leader: President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali Start: December 18th, 2010 Status: Subdued since March 2011 Since 1987, Ben Ali has arrested and tortured thousands of protesters, limited media and blocked civil society organizations Dec. 17th, 2011- 26 year old Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire President Ben Ali offered 300 00 new jobs to citizens January 14th – President and his family left to Saudi Arabia Rates of new Facebook users is higher in Arab countries than many countries that have the highest Facebook penetration rate worldwide This number is strongly linked to a country's Human Development Index, Gender Gap Index, and overall demographics and income Lower percentage of female Facebook users in Arab countries reflects gender disparity seen in politics, economics, healthcare, and education Important in determining how social media is useful for certain countries, but ineffective for others Syrian Crackdown "In Unsettled Times, Media Can Be a Call to Action, or a Distraction" Summary Leader: President Bashar Al-Assad Start: January 26th 2011, uprising March 15th, 2011 Status: On going Summary January 26th, 2011 – Hasan Ali- Akleh sets himself on fire out of