Media and Nations History - Literature review Example

Media and Nations` History Student’s Name Subject Professor University/Institution Location Date Introduction Both mass media and the rapidly emergent social media are the major portions of mass communication widely used ever. Unlike the mass media, social media is considered fast in conveying messages. By its nature social media is enormous, raw, fast and anarchic. For instance, to give feedback about a story on a newspaper or television may take time. This is not the case with social media networks, messages can be received, worked on and feedback received right away. Development in technology has been attributed the rapid advancement and globalization of media. Media is extremely powerful and important in the sense that an adequately functioning media ease linkage in sophisticated social structures within a nation. According to scholars, there has been more or less powerful effect of media on the public. Influence as a form of mind control is the power of media to rule. The influential power of media is particularly effective if its participation is consistent with interest of attracting the public attention (Kavanaugh et al 2011). Initially, the main roles of media are to entertain, educate and inform, but current trends have elevated media as platform for citizen participation in governance. This has however been changed with globalization and technological advancement. As such, media has worn other roles like enhancing social networking. The support of freedom of speech, provision for immediate feedback is a new phenomenon that has challenged governance structure and privacy. The masses can argue, oppose and support government policies by expressing their opinions through the media. A clear illustration of how the intertwined nature of mass media and history of nation was depicted in 2010 in West African states of Tunisia and Egypt (Safranek 2012). The way the citizens used the social media attracted the attention to the world as revolution in these countries took over. This paper explores the role of social media in the Arab world uprisings, majoring on Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions The Conflict phenomenon and Media Since after the Cold War, massive conflicts involving deaths and suffering of millions of people have been the defining features of the modern world. The Stockholm International Research Institute confirmed 59 armed war since the cold war associated with the media. Mainly, the role of media can come in two forms. Thus, media can actively involved in an issue and contribute to violence, or keep off from the issue, in this manner contributing to resolution of conflict and mitigation of violence. Media has been largely associated and termed as an instrument of warfare, bigotry, abhorrence, and violence (Murphy 2007). The former Yugoslavia and Rwanda are quoted as countries where abuse of media and gross prejudice were attributed the foul ethnic brutality and xenophobia. In the Rwandan genocide, media played a pernicious responsibility by directly inciting through the radio, while in Yugoslavia media acted as a vehicle for dangerous jingoism. However, this is not just a phenomenon in the modern time, earlier during the Nazis and the Soviet Union conflicts the media was largely used to create a hegemonic situation power could be more easily exercised. Furthermore, media is largely argued to influence the political climate and the democratic process of the modern democracies. The competitive media hamper the ability of democratic system to solve internal social and international conflicts in an optimal way. As such, media plays a key role in any countries conflict (Puddephatt 2006). Social Media phenomenon In year 2004, a Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg created facebook as medium to connect with friend and fellow students. This social network increasingly saw the adoption of high school and college students, leading to it growth to 845 million users worldwide by years 2012. This rendered it the premiere role in social media sector. On July 2006, a microblogging and online social networking twitter was launched. It had gained 300 million followers by the year 2011. This medium allows sharing and exchanging of messages, videos and photos of a specific amount of characters. In 2005 Steven Chen and Chad Hurley out of frustration on lack of means to share video files, they founded site ‘YouTube’ specifically for distribution of video content. These 3 social networks are favorable to many as with little computer knowledge one can access them, they can be accessed with just a Smartphone and they can be intertwined and shared. The number of social media users has risen worldwide due to efficient technology development that promotes communication. These sites enable people share content, insights, opinions, perspectives and experiences through micro blogs for Twitter, online Video in YouTube and social networking in Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. The number of users on social media grows daily and has reached above a billion users with many millions using them as sources of income from the global clientele and products. This is a new form of business models, courtesy of internet. Through technology, every move of users is traced ad thus yield rich information for administrators and regulators. These sites are governed by devised and constantly revised terms and conditions that regulate them. Social Media Use in Context: Egypt and Tunisia In addition to satellite television, mobile phones, newspapers and other forms of mass media, social media such as facebook and twitter has largely penetrated the entire nations of Tunisia and Egypt. The diffusion of these networks in conjunction with satellite communication and broadcast programs enhances discussions that lay a foundation for rising expectations of the populace. These offers programming and discussion of the countries regime and national polices. Both countries have well educated populations with a medium age of 24. As the countries is a experiencing the youth explosion, they have adopted development plan with focus on higher education, hence a vast number is well educated through secondary, colleges and universities. However, the countries have not created enough jobs leaving a large number of youths unemployed, especially the interior parts of the countries (Puddephatt 2006). Internet infiltration in Tunisia is quite inconsistent with a 34% for facebook as the highest used social media network and a type of micro-blogging, twitter, is at 19%. On the other hand in Egypt, internet use is at 24% and facebook use is at 5% (Kavanaugh et al 2011). Mobile penetration is however, much higher in the two countries with 95% use in Tunisia and 67% in Egypt. According to Kavanaugh et al, 2011, mobile phones work hand in hand with socia media. They significantly aid participation in the social networks. During protests they are largely used to tweet, facebook and capture images and sound in the streets where people cannot carry bigger gadget. Genrarally, the youthful population of of North Africa which makes 35 to 45% of their populations nearly 17 million are Facebook users, and 25,000 Twitter users and 40,000 bloggers. YouTube is tremendously used too a Popular with atleast a video uploaded every hour every minute in the expanse. According to Dubai School of Government facebookers in the arab world rose by 78% in 2010 moving from 11.9 million in January 2010 to reach 21.3 million by december the same years (Kavanaugh 2011). Tunisian Revolution 2011 ‘Jasmine Revolution’ After a denial to work as a street vendor to fend for his family, Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire out of frustrations. The scenes showing Mohammed self immolation were captured and posted on YouTube by passers-by. Additionally, videos of the mass protests during his funeral were posted and circulated rapidly within and outside Tunisia as the country`s ten million residents and two million emigrant populace are enthusiastic and keen users of media technology. By 11th of January 2011 protests had reached the capital city Tunis. This spelled a response from the then president Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali authorizing the army to act on the same and inflicted a curfew for night times (Safranek 2012). The protests then continued to the country`s second city of Sfax. During revolution events, facebook users had reached two million people with tweeter having a slightly lower figure. This in addition to other social networks; YouTube, blogs became instruments in catalyzing the revolution. Unlike the old days` means of communication, these sites speed up the sharing of information and giving feedbacks. O`Donnell , 2011 assert that in 21st century, televising may not necessary be done but a revolution is likely to be blogged, texted, tweeted and organized on facebook as per recent experices. As such, after an exploring over 3 million tweets and several blogs posts, researchers have attributed the social media the central role in shaping political debates in Tunisia. Chats about revolution always preceeded major events.Addtionally, the media in Tunisia carried out stirring stories of protests across international borders. The media potrayed messages on autonomy and democracy from across the globe, and helped elevate expectations for getting the same from a political uprising. This offered a more extensive space for world of digital conversation, which mainly at the time called for use of social networks in conjuction with cell phones for messaging, sending pictures and voice messages. According to O`Donnell, 2011 political conversation in blogs foretold the turn of the popular opinion in Tunisia. The dialogues about rights, democracy and revolution on blogs and twitter time and again, immdeiately preceded the mass protests. About 20% of the messages conveyed on media before the revolution, were all evaluting the leadership of the then president. Subsequently, the media in Tunisia agenda of discussion was revolution until it acelerated a public rally of abot 100,000 people. This incited the public on the need for a protest right in their country to demand the thought economic and politica welfare. As such, people with common iterest and view of democracy in regard to equal sharing of national resources built widespread social networks and planned political action. Social media in this case, critically became the instrument for the spelled democracy. The continued pressure and persistence protests caused President Ben Ali flee the country, exiled by an impulsive heavily populated revolution. With it ten million well educated populace; the country made history in being the first in the Arab world to oust a leader through a revolution (Safranek 2012). This protest nicknamed ‘Jasmine Revolution’ brought in a coalition government after holding elections. Therefore, new technology of social media aided opposition leadership to organize riots as well as communicate to followers. Simply put, social media caused Tunisia’s` Jasmine Revolution forcing out the old regime. This brought the country into books of history that carries nations countries whose democracies were impacted by the media and entirely changing and reshaping the country. For that reason, the history of media will ever be bound to history of the nation of Tunisia. Egyptian Revolution 2011 According to Safranek, 2012 google excecutitve Wael Ghoim aided ignite the 2011 Egytptian revolution by posting on YouTube videos of police beating and killing an Egyptian businessman Khaled Said. He also created a page on facebook known as ‘We are all Khaled Said’ which attracted 500,000 followers.With more than 4 million facebookers which is only 4% of the country`s entire 18 million popullation, convesation in regard to political change increased from 2,300 to 230,000 per day. Videos with features of protest and political annotations increased with 23 out them reciving more that 5.5 million views via social media. Sending of messages and receiving feed back took the shortest span of time espceially with this technology. As such, the amount of resentment created online on facebook, political blogs and opposition groups augmented radically (Safranek 2012). As Mainwaring, 2011 emphasis that the increased density of information flow or the many the times a stuff is heard and increased connection with others perceptions about it is likely to increase radicalization. Continued involvement in conversation regard the killing and police corruption online, lead to flooding of protesters at Tahrir Square in Cairo. At this juncture, there arose a force much more willing to critisize and confront the authority. This engaged riot police in a battle with three kinds of groups. First the activists from religious and political lines. Second came the politicized people who intitially feared to confront the regime and finally politicall portion of Egypt that was tired of the police state. Increased domestic and international pressure caused the resignation of the then president Hosni Mubarak on 11th February, 2011 after 18 days of protest. Mainwaring, 2011 posits the january 25th , 2011 revolution in Egypt was an implausible achievement of the social media and blogsphere. The social media exact role in the was to was enhancing awareness and support to anti-government demonstrators. The the social media and satellite television mainly, aided to widen cognitive dissonance as it connected the though leaders with the activicts and general public rapidly increasing the number of people willing to tak action. As such , the densely connected networks enhances the rapid spread of ideas. Political analysits urgue that paraphernalia that widen the density of social connection are instrument to changes that spread. This forceful overthrow of the old regime is in other words, media lead to social uprising. As such, the history of media will ever be bound to history of the nation of Egypt. Long Term Impact of Social Media in Egypt and Tunisia The revolution and overthrow in Tunisia and Egypt respectively was not the end objective of social media fuss. Particularly, some short-term expectations are manifest today in these countries. Freedom of speech and criticism has allowed people to look ahead for good governance and institutions. However, constitutional changes will account for significant changes in nearly every aspect of these nations. Democracy has also taken its course with the influences of regional and international mediation. This has and will primarily improve human rights, allow citizens participation in governance. The new government is incorporating international policies raising the standards and reducing manipulations. Economically, the attention from other countries will shape new investment procedures and positively impact on national developments. In Tunisia, exiled political human rights and activists come back home, detained political prisoners were set free and carried on their work without intimidation. Women enormously augmented political participation. The new constitution spells a right of people to change their government calmly. This was first manifest when the citizens indulged in first ever free and fair election. In June 2011, the government endorsed the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (United States Department of State 2011). Consequently, social media is attributed the reshaping of these two nations. As such, social media will forever be bound to these revolutions and hence the history of Tunisia and Egypt. Conclusion Conclusively, media has in the past played a prominent role in democracies. They continue to do so, and getting stronger as democratization is entrenched globally in all systems. Particularly, the social media has acted as a representation of the people in political process and advice policy making and legislation. Some political analysts posits that, social networks are the civil voice that holds decision makers accountable and advices them. They also provide important information to the people in the process of mobilization. Whether social media promote or undermine democracy depends on the intentions of such the specific users and groups and the ability of the society to keep them on check and listen to them. This is because the media in general can be detrimental to democracies owing to unregulated mobilization, infiltration of personal interests, greed as well as external interference. However, when made and kept on check of, with, by and for the people, social media and the entire media industry in general, promote democracy. The change in governance and regime in both Tunisia and Egypt reshaped the countries to new directions. This brought the country into books of history that carries nations countries whose democracies were impacted by the media and entirely changing and reshaping the country. For that reason, the history of media will ever be bound to history of these nations. References Kavanaugh, A., Yang, S., Sheetz, S. Li, L, T., and Fox, E. A 2011, Between a Rock and a Cell Phone: Social Media Use during Mass Protests in Iran, Tunisia and Egypt . Virginia Tech: ACM Trans. Mainwaring, S 2011, Exactly What Role Did Social Media Play in the Egyptian Revolution? New York: Mansueto Ventures LLC. Murphy, P. D 2007, Media and Democarcy in the Age of Globalisation. New York: State University of New York Press. O`Donnell, C 2011, New study quantifies use of social media in Arab Spring. Retrieved 11 16, 2012, from washington.edu: http://www.washington.edu/news/2011/09/12/new-study-quantifies-use-of-social-media-in-arab-spring/ Puddephatt, A 2006, Voice of War: Conflict and the Role of media. Copenhagen: International Media Support. Safranek, R 2012, The Emerging Role of Social Media in Political and Regime Change. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest Discovery Guides. United States Department of State. (2011). Tunisia: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011. Washington: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Read More

This medium allows sharing and exchanging of messages, videos and photos of a specific amount of characters. In 2005 Steven Chen and Chad Hurley out of frustration on lack of means to share video files, they founded site ‘YouTube’ specifically for distribution of video content. These 3 social networks are favorable to many as with little computer knowledge one can access them, they can be accessed with just a Smartphone and they can be intertwined and shared. The number of social media users has risen worldwide due to efficient technology development that promotes communication.

These sites enable people share content, insights, opinions, perspectives and experiences through micro blogs for Twitter, online Video in YouTube and social networking in Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. The number of users on social media grows daily and has reached above a billion users with many millions using them as sources of income from the global clientele and products. This is a new form of business models, courtesy of internet. Through technology, every move of users is traced ad thus yield rich information for administrators and regulators.

These sites are governed by devised and constantly revised terms and conditions that regulate them. Social Media Use in Context: Egypt and Tunisia In addition to satellite television, mobile phones, newspapers and other forms of mass media, social media such as facebook and twitter has largely penetrated the entire nations of Tunisia and Egypt. The diffusion of these networks in conjunction with satellite communication and broadcast programs enhances discussions that lay a foundation for rising expectations of the populace.

These offers programming and discussion of the countries regime and national polices. Both countries have well educated populations with a medium age of 24. As the countries is a experiencing the youth explosion, they have adopted development plan with focus on higher education, hence a vast number is well educated through secondary, colleges and universities. However, the countries have not created enough jobs leaving a large number of youths unemployed, especially the interior parts of the countries (Puddephatt 2006).

Internet infiltration in Tunisia is quite inconsistent with a 34% for facebook as the highest used social media network and a type of micro-blogging, twitter, is at 19%. On the other hand in Egypt, internet use is at 24% and facebook use is at 5% (Kavanaugh et al 2011). Mobile penetration is however, much higher in the two countries with 95% use in Tunisia and 67% in Egypt. According to Kavanaugh et al, 2011, mobile phones work hand in hand with socia media. They significantly aid participation in the social networks.

During protests they are largely used to tweet, facebook and capture images and sound in the streets where people cannot carry bigger gadget. Genrarally, the youthful population of of North Africa which makes 35 to 45% of their populations nearly 17 million are Facebook users, and 25,000 Twitter users and 40,000 bloggers. YouTube is tremendously used too a Popular with atleast a video uploaded every hour every minute in the expanse. According to Dubai School of Government facebookers in the arab world rose by 78% in 2010 moving from 11.

9 million in January 2010 to reach 21.3 million by december the same years (Kavanaugh 2011). Tunisian Revolution 2011 ‘Jasmine Revolution’ After a denial to work as a street vendor to fend for his family, Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire out of frustrations. The scenes showing Mohammed self immolation were captured and posted on YouTube by passers-by. Additionally, videos of the mass protests during his funeral were posted and circulated rapidly within and outside Tunisia as the country`s ten million residents and two million emigrant populace are enthusiastic and keen users of media technology.

By 11th of January 2011 protests had reached the capital city Tunis. This spelled a response from the then president Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali authorizing the army to act on the same and inflicted a curfew for night times (Safranek 2012).

Read More