Social Networking Sites As A Tool For Protest

Influence of social networking sites Emergence of social networking sites Increasing of politics profile Spreading message New way of involvement Useful for protesting

To what extent could social networking sites be changing the ability of oppressive regimes to maintain complete control over their citizens?

Social Networking Sites and Oppressive Regimes

First try: 1997 SixDegrees.com 2006: Exponential growth of usage New kind of platforms : Social Networking Sites Beginning of social networking sites Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Social Networking Sites Facebook groups Facebook fan pages Twitter tags (#IranElection, #Libya...) Youtube channels Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression Sharing

Oppressive regimes Political system Under the power of a single person Recognizes no limits to its authority No freedom of expression Today: Iran, Libya, Syria… Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Impact of social media on oppressive regimes

Censorship and Media Manipulation Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

“With mediated technologies, such as the Internet, individuals become real agents who are capable of resisting the world around them.” Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression Censorship and Media Manipulation

Islamic Republic of Iran

Impact on oppressive regimes Iran : “Twitter Revolution” 2009: “On Friday, June 12, Iran voted. On Monday, June 15, Tehran erupted” Almost all media forms were blacked out A majority of internet sites were blocked Supply of proxy servers Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

“We have no national press coverage in Iran, everyone should help spread Moussavi’s message. One Person = One Broadcaster. #IranElection.” Impact on oppressive regimes Iran : “Twitter Revolution” Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Twitter: @mousavi1388 : 25,000 followers #IranElection 750,000 tweets Facebook: Mr. Moussavi’s fan group page : 180,000 fans Impact on oppressive regimes Iran : “Twitter Revolution” Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Libya

Libya Internet is mainly run by the government Blocking of “undesirable” political web sites High risk of writing something on internet Opponents are killed or jailed Impact on oppressive regimes Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Libya Impact on oppressive regimes Facebook: Organize demonstration Twitter: @ChangeInLibya @EnoughGaddafi 9,000 followers Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Repression Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Update minute by minute Real time information Big drop of internet speed Denounciation Impact on oppressive regimes Definition: Social networking sites Oppressive regimes Impact on oppressive regimes: Censorship and Media Manipulation Repression

Conclusion A real help for freedom of expression Useful to denounce Promote opposition A big help to gather people for demonstration

Conclusion Can it be a more powerful tool for government?