Extent to Which Social Media Influenced the Activities Witnessed in the Bahraini Uprising - Research Paper Example

Persuasive Essay: Extent to Which Social Media Influenced the Activities Witnessed In the Bahraini Uprising Extent to Which Social Media Influenced the Activities Witnessed In the Bahraini Uprising Overall Claim (Thesis) Social media is attributed to have played a significant role in the wake of the Bahraini uprising because, at around this time, there was heightened activity on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Skype. Introduction Social media usage stood out as the major form of communication and awareness creation link that led to the Arab Spring uprisings including the 2011 Pearl Roundabout uprising in Bahrain (Ghannam, 2011). In the month of December 2010 as well as the initial months of 2011, the Arab world experienced the rise of large popular movements pressing for democracy and change in the political organization of the countries. Massive and sustained demonstrations by the public, which demanded political reform with their roots in Cairo and Tunis as well as Manama, Amman, and Sana’a, trickled down as inspiration to people in Tripoli, Damascus, and Casablanca. The results were street protests in dozens of cities calling for change. This came to be referred as the Arab Spring uprising encompassing countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, as well as Bahrain. The first effects or results of these demonstrations were reported in May with major political casualties being Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. The uprising in Bahrain commenced on February 14, 2011 commonly referred to as the Pearl Roundabout. Many ways exist of telling the political change story, but among the most consistent narratives given by leaders of civil societies in the Arab countries continues to be social media platforms, mobile phones, and the Internet that made a difference this time around. It is through use of these technologies that people who were interested in democracy in countries like Bahrain were able to organize political action on a scale and speed not seen before, create social capital, as well as build extensive social networks. Main Effects These technologies enabled materialization of virtual networks in the streets resulting from communication on social media, which was at its peak. The increased traffic evidences this on Facebook, Twitter, and Skype that conveyed numerous pictures and messages for effective organization of protests (Ghannam, 2011). Sharing of information is one of the enabling features of the social media for interaction and the protesters had to communicate in ways that were out of the state control’s reach or control. This facilitated formulation of strategies to be used in action as well as a collective goal, which entailed the deposition of a despot. Prior to the sudden explosion of using social media as a strategic tool for planning, average citizens employed the blogosphere as a form of investigative journalism, which had to be kept under wraps in the oppressive regimes. The justification of social media’s role in the Bahraini uprising is informed by the first nations to successfully oust an incumbent, which are Egypt and Tunisia. Widespread use of the social media became a major threat to the political class in Bahrain. The authorities in Bahrain did not ignore the effectiveness of social media in its mobilization ability and capacity. They tried to stifle the ensuing digital conversation concerning domestic political change (Joseph, 2012). The Bahraini government also targeted bloggers with harassment, beatings, and arrests clearly allaying their fears of the social movement’s solidarity expressed on Twitter and Facebook. This clearly shows that digital media played an important role in the mobilization of protestors, as well as organization of protests. The imminent power in the use of the Internet on social platforms was disconcerting to the authorities seeing that Facebook was widely used in scheduling of protests, Twitter in the coordination of the protests, and YouTube in informing the entire global of the on goings in the country (Howard and Hussain, 2011). Bahrain benefitted from borrowing on strategic measures already implemented in countries like Egypt making its networking more comprehensive. The Pearl Roundabout uprising came immediately after the Egyptian counterparts proved that, with the right usage of strategy concerning communication on and use of social media, much can be achieved in the bid for democracy (Joseph, 2012). Images portraying jubilant protesters in Tunisia were the other sources of inspiration for the Bahraini uprising including other uprisings in the Arab Spring. Digital media distributed details outlining successful social mobilization against the incumbents strengthening the resolve of protesters to champion for their rights. The use of the three tools has yielded positive results in political mobilization geared towards championing for regime changes and propagation of pro-democracy campaigns. The viewpoints presented in the article owing to the indication of the positive aspects of social media use in the Bahraini uprising. Social media in Bahrain before the recent revolutions had been described as elitist, alternative and marginal with minimal impact occasioned by the low internet penetration rates (Howard and Hussain, 2011). The events of 2011 about the Bahraini uprising brought social media to the forefront. Many have credited Twitter, weblogs, and Facebook with facilitation of revolution in Bahrain. Convergence of social media took place in the mainstream media as well as the actual demonstrations on the streets. Questions that beg answers in the wake of protests and revolutions in Bahrain involve the political, technical, and cultural variables, which are conducive to the employment of social media for mobilization activities. Another question that needs an answer is the manner in which the state and citizens have employed social media in the event of the uprising and beyond it. There is also need to ascertain how to conduct research on social media movements in Bahrain. Important to note is that irrespective of political stance, both activists and government supporters turned to social media and the Internet in efforts of following the unfolding events (Howard and Hussain, 2011). Various surveys indicate that the number of people using Twitter in Bahrain shot up, and several dozens of groups materialized on Facebook. Most of these were posting events, photos, information, and updates in relation to the revolution. From a look at the media coverage of the uprising, the social media aspect was popularized, and many new outlets focused on the role of Facebook and Twitter in the uprising. A large portion of this discourse alluded to the position of a technological utopia that views the Internet and social media as positive forces, which bring people together, encourage freedom of expression, reinvigorates political engagement of citizens, and democratizes information. The protests in Bahrain over a couple of years have been mostly linked to the tensions between the two Muslim groups comprising the Shiite and the Sunni. The people have sacrificed their lives hoping for a future full of prosperity and joy. The majority in Bahrain is Shiite, but the rulers come from the Sunni minority (Ulrichsen, 2013). The source of conflict in the country is an accusation of the ruling party’s/dynasty’s incumbency and its attempts to change Bahraini demographics through encouraging immigrants to take up the country’s nationality (Ulrichsen, 2013). Several years have seen a discontent on the rise among the people as well as growing demands for freedom of speech, independence of the judicial system, release of political prisoners, and a new constitution. The source of discontent is clear in the wake of uprisings during the Arab Spring, but the mode of propagation of the discontent could be debated from different viewpoints with major contention focusing on whether social media had a significant impact in the Bahraini uprising. In-depth analysis of the Bahraini uprising reveals the contribution of the social media in promoting the uprising amidst strong government interference and intervention (Joseph, 2012). A number of research articles address the role played by communication networks and media systems in the facilitation of what are considered as historical events on a global platform as opposed to being restricted to the specified country. The role of the new social media included Twitter, YouTube, online blogging, mobile telephony, and Facebook in communication and coordination of the uprising in Bahrain. Credit is given to the social media as a tool used in coordinating mass protests, prompt transmission of information and use of images (Cottle, 2011). There is also a skeptical view on the success of social media by portraying the government as using the tool to its advantage in silencing protestors. The use of social media has had positive results in pushing anti-government agendas mainly due to increased number of Facebook groups used by administrators in posting information, updates, events, and photos pertaining to different activities of the uprising (Safranek, 2012). Those who have had firsthand experience on the effects of the groups in which, they have subscribed and follow proceedings can testify that these groups are used actively in posting of photos of the uprising stirred the people’s emotions specifically photos that indicated police brutality. The proportion of groups advocating anti-government agendas outweigh pro-government supporters and this I believe contributes to the success of using social media in enhancing the awareness of protestors. The people of Bahrain have concealed their sufferings for long and with the activities in the Arab Spring, they were motivated to come out to the streets and voice their concerns (Wehrey, 2013). There is worldwide advancement in technological innovation and its independence highlights the weight in which the technology is acclimatized and provided. Communication technology has come out as a power, which has been embraced as well as provided with a strange kind of drive. In support of the effectiveness of social media in the events that unfolded in the Arab Spring, it is important to consider the fact that mobile communication as a result of advancement in technology lets people make use of and access information technology anywhere, anytime especially due to its portable nature. The advancement and enhancement of communication devices have made social media increase in versatility and influence making internet services to be accessible on the go. In the case of the Arab Spring, these social media tools acted as catalysts to political and social activities with the people bearing the change initiation decision. The employment of Internet services has become a source of expression and information throughout the Arab world (Behr & Aaltola, 2011). There are certain people who have come to acknowledge it as more of a medium for censorship, and the ones who deem it as a provider of the freedom of expression and mobilization as well as standing in solidarity through social interaction and exchange of ideas. Through this freedom of expression on social media, the largely covered corruption and repression in the Arab world and governments including Bahrain was brought to the limelight. The people had been suffering under incumbent regimes that exercised totalitarianism, authoritarianism, as well as repression. In Bahrain, it was evident that the population suffered from the system’s gross violation of human rights, augmented corruption rates, and high levels of unemployment. These issues of unemployment, corruption, lack of fundamental freedoms caused dissent among the people, which agitated the removal of ageing dictatorship. The social media tools played a vital role in coordinating mass protests and prompting information transmission as well as use of images (Behr & Aaltola, 2011). The use of social media by young tech savvy activists helped propagate the Arab Spring resulting in the release of political captives, creation of job opportunities, increased negotiations. The beginning of the uprising in Bahrain contributed to increased awareness of social media by the people with the societal undertones of dissent trickling into the social media, which is also reported as having been utilized by the government in silencing and arresting organizers of protests. On the overall, it can be argued that there were two sides to the usage of social media tools with there being anti-government and pro-government advocacy. In accordance with proportions, the anti-government advocates outweighed the pro-government spokespersons making the social media channel as well for the people of Bahrain to let their opinions on politics known to the government. Social networks in the Arab world have increasingly gained popularity as tools for expressing the people’s dissent and opposition to dictatorial rule (Cottle, 2011). The evidence for this trend is in the way such uprisings have taken place simultaneously, and others following shortly after the pioneering group that includes Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia (Storck, 2011). Syria and Bahrain are among the ones that followed drawing inspiration from success stories aired and shared on social media. Researchers into the role played by social media have indeed confirmed that, as digital tools, social networks had significance in the promotion of social change by helping in mobilization of people to join the protests calling for social change. This platform was mainly used by young tech savvy activists who mobilized members with like interests and affiliations and set up networks through which contacting one another became easy and possible. Counterarguments Internet and social media usage at large can be criticized from the possibility of information control by government agencies and thus in the process ensuring that the anti government posts could not be viewed by the masses (Wehrey, 2013). The claims against the effectiveness of social media in the Bahraini uprising emanated from the ease in which government forces could arrest political dissidents and activists for incitement. The media content passed through social media and the internet at large was prone to information intervention, propaganda, and public diplomacy while hiding information from the access of the public. The internet was used in censorship and surveillance efforts by the government (Owen Jones, 2013). I tend to disagree with the final opinion suggesting that government control and regulation could have diverted the use of social media to its advantage and this is because the use of social media in Bahrain is advanced to counter censorship efforts. People resorted to opening anonymous accounts and posted numerous pictures and messages for the organization of protests. This is evidenced by the impact of images posted on the internet that speak volumes and circulated quickly within the country and on a global platform. Social media platform has achieved success in passing information that could not ordinarily be passed through conventional media forms such as newspapers, radio, and television. This is portrayed on the backdrop of a society that was regulated in terms of communication; hence, social media usage cannot be fully attributed to the success of the uprising witnessed in Bahrain. There are disputes regarding the success of Twitter and Facebook on revolutions arguing that the tools propagate social revolutions, as opposed to political revolutions (Owen Jones, 2013). The counterarguments contend that real revolutions do not occur on social media platforms, but on the contrary, they are set in the streets. The stand taken by the proponents of the contention on the positive aspect of social media in driving social revolutions is based on the notion that revolutions are set in the streets. This is arguable because street gatherings are not spontaneous activities, but rather are the result of immense planning. The use of social media had a social revolution in Bahrain leading to increased awareness of the oppressive regime and thus contributing to the increased and organized protests. There is also an overview of the successful use of social platforms on the backdrop of government interference through surveillance and control. The social media usage by activists and government supporters to push their agenda by accessing a wider audience has been reported as the case in some of the other news media as a misleading piece of information. Social media’s use is not regulated to political affiliations and thus can be said to be one of the tools used in furthering different agendas. The beginning of the uprising contributed to increased awareness of social media by Bahraini people with a rapid increment of users subscribed to twitter in the country. Twitter has not been the only form of social media to experience an upsurge in the number of users as Facebook groups sprung up with the revolution. Conversations amongst the society have undertones of anti or pro government supporters a scene that has trickled to the social media. There are those who are cynical and argued that social media was a mere tool, and not an integral part of the revolution’s efficacy on the overall. They argue that the Internet as a technological development simply serves to confound problems of interaction, access, and space through alienating people from others even themselves. They pose a profound fear that the technology could have worked against itself and instead of integrating people; it causes disintegration through the media content coming through as propaganda generated by those it is meant to oppose. They claim that authoritarian regimes employed use of the tool for censorship, surveillance, and propaganda to confuse the ones championing for change (Owen Jones, 2013). Conclusion The Bahraini uprising just as the numerous uprisings witnessed across the Middle East has served as strong reference points on the positive use of the social media (Storck, 2011). The social media including Facebook and Twitter has been employed as a successful tool in driving pro-democracy initiatives within the country and across the globe. The social media has helped many people connect with relatives and friends in Bahraini while sharing the depth of the democracy movements in the country. It is through the social media that events with negative connotations have been exposed, which would otherwise have been muzzled, using conventional media forms at the disposal of oppressive regimes. Research has added to understanding the depth of the problem and challenge facing the people in Bahrain by using the social media. It is prudent to note that social media has had positive effects in the Bahraini uprising and it is of importance to consider the different scenarios that have engaged social media. The need for political reforms and better standards of living, both socially and economically, led to the people of Bahrain rising up in arms against the government. The oppression of the regime drove the people’s passion in calling for democracy through organized protests and marches. Excessive force used by the government led to violent outbursts by the otherwise peaceful protesters with the brutality of government forces harming and killing some protesters. The sacrifices made were not in vain as the avenue for dialogue and bargaining was opened, even though little progress has taken place. In all these, the social media played a critical role with positive effects in the Bahraini uprising. References Behr, T. & Aaltola, M. (2011). The Arab uprising: causes, prospects and implications. FIIA Briefing Paper, 76 1. Cottle, S. (2011). Media and the Arab uprisings of 2011: research notes. Journalism, 12 (5), 647-659. Ghannam, J. (2011). Social Media in the Arab World: Leading up to the Uprisings of 2011. Center for International Media Assistance, 3. Howard, P. N. & Hussain, M. M. (2011). The role of digital media. Journal of Democracy, 22 (3), 35-48. Joseph, S. (2012). SOCIAL MEDIA, POLITICAL CHANGE, AND HUMAN RIGHTS. Boston College International & Comparative Law Review, 35 (1). Owen Jones, M. (2013). Social media, surveillance and social control in the Bahrain uprising. WESTMINSTER PAPERS In Communication and Culture, 9 (2), 71-94. Safranek, R. (2012). The emerging role of social media in political and regime change. Proquest Discovery Guide. Storck, M. (2011). The role of social media in political mobilization: a case study of the January 2011 Egyptian uprising. University Of St Andrews, Scotland. Ulrichsen, K. C. (2013). Bahrain’s uprising: regional dimensions and international consequences. Stability: International Journal of Security and Development, 2 (1), 14. Wehrey, F. (2013). Bahrains decade of discontent. Journal of Democracy, 24 (3), 116-126. Read More