The impact of social media, wider media ecologies, and new communication technologies has been profound, influencing both developed and developing nations. In this post, we'll explore how these technologies became pivotal in driving significant political, social, and economic changes during the Arab uprisings of 2011.
The Arab uprisings of early 2011 brought sweeping transformations across the Middle East and North Africa. Mass protests erupted, demanding an end to corruption, improved living conditions, democracy, and human rights protection (Cottle, 2011). These uprisings led to the swift collapse of long-standing regimes (Soengas-Pérez, 2013), sparked by initial protests in Tunisia in December 2010 following Mohammed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in protest of police corruption and mistreatment. This wave of unrest quickly spread, igniting democratic demonstrations throughout Arabic countries (Salih, 2013). While the uprisings resulted in some political, social, and economic progress, they also led to significant violence, mass displacement, and increased repression in various regions (Robinson, 2020). Examining the intersection of new communication technologies with the Arab uprisings reveals their critical role in shaping these events.
Media plays a crucial role in developing national identity, and this was particularly evident in the Arab states. By late 2010, a media revolution had begun, fueling a resurgence of regional Arab consciousness. "The wave of mass protests that swept the Middle East in early 2011 highlighted the role of new information communication technologies (ICT) and digital social media tools and networks" (Waheed, Muhammad & Sulong, 2012, p.101). Activists utilized social media to express their discontent with government injustices (Kassim, 2012). The uprisings are often labeled as the "Twitter revolution," "Facebook revolution," or "mobile phone revolution." However, it’s crucial to view social media’s impact within the broader media ecosystem and political structures (Robertson, 2015). Social media alone did not spark the uprisings; Bellin (2012) notes that in Egypt and Tunisia, long-standing grievances, emotional triggers, and a sense of impunity combined with new communication technology to fuel the unrest.
The Arab uprisings were initially driven by a hopeful vision of social change facilitated by social media and the internet. The catalyst was the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi on December 17, 2010, in front of the Sidi Bouzid provincial governor’s office (Khalil, 2020). The role of media was evident from the start: Bouazizi’s cousin, Ali Bouazizi, captured and shared footage of the growing protest on Facebook, despite having created his account just two months prior (Lagemen, 2020). This video quickly spread, reaching wider audiences through news channels. The ability of social media to amplify and disseminate content was pivotal; had the video remained confined to Facebook, its impact would have been limited (Ghannam, 2011, p.16).
Before these technologies, circulating such content widely would have been challenging. Social media platforms like Facebook enabled activists to bypass traditional media constraints, creating a new Arab public sphere—a concept described by Herbamas as a network for communication and information (Herbamas, 1996, p. 30). This new public sphere allowed for self-organization and mobilization, circumventing the censorship and repression imposed by Arab states (Zaid, 2018, p.4401).
Activists like Ali Bouazizi, along with many others, acted as citizen journalists, a term referring to non-professional journalists who use web platforms to disseminate information (Albarado, 2018). This grassroots journalism was crucial in regions where professional media was tightly controlled (Duffy, 2011). The rise of sousveillance, where civilians use technology to monitor and document abuses from below, further fueled the protests (Bollier, 2013). By the end of December 2010, Tunisia was in turmoil, leading to the ousting of President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali and spreading unrest to other Arab countries, including Algeria and Egypt. In Egypt, citizen journalists used new media to rapidly spread the message, contributing to the removal of President Hosni Mubarak and exposing the vulnerability of regional regimes (Safi et al., 2021).
The aftermath of these protests was unpredictable. By late 2011, the Middle East and North Africa were significantly altered, with new governments forming in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen, and Syria descending into civil war (Safi et al., 2021). Despite the critical role of social media, other communication forms also contributed. Tunisian blogger Sami Ghabia noted that much of the revolution's content originated from Facebook, was translated and reposted on Nawaat, an independent blog, and then shared via Twitter for mainstream media (Cottle, 2011, p.652). SMS and MMS were also crucial, enabling swift communication and organization (Yin, 2011). These technologies collectively facilitated the uprisings, allowing protesters to spread their message and coordinate effectively (Alhindi, Talha & Sulong, 2012, p.102).
While new communication technologies were a driving force, they were not the sole reason for the uprisings. Contextual factors, such as socio-political gaps and long-standing grievances, also played significant roles (Aday et al., 2012; Stepanova, 2011). Nevertheless, these technologies were instrumental in mobilizing and amplifying the demands for change.
The lasting impact of the Arab uprisings has been mixed. While Tunisia managed to establish a representative democracy, other countries, like Egypt, have seen changes in leadership without substantial progress, and some, like Saudi Arabia, remain largely unaffected (Simon, 2021). However, the influence of new communication technologies endures. Recent protests, such as those by the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, have similarly leveraged social media for organizing and raising awareness. The role of communication technologies in shaping political movements and facilitating rapid dissemination of information remains significant, showing no signs of waning (Greer, 2010).
In summary, new communication technologies played a crucial role in the Arab uprisings of 2011, enabling activists to challenge unjust governance and spark widespread protests. While these technologies alone did not cause the uprisings, they were essential in facilitating and amplifying the calls for change. As we look to current and future movements, the continued impact of communication technologies on politics and society is undeniable.