[Air-L] ISOC Statement on Egypt's Internet shutdown

Julian Hopkins reach at julianhopkins.net
Mon Jan 31 15:56:44 PST 2011


I don't know the extent of the censorship of the mainstream media in Egypt,
but I think it is quite extensive. From my experience living in Malaysia, I
can say that the role of online media in spreading alternative voices and
reporting events that would otherwise be suppressed is significant. It is
easy, for well educated people living in a country with a free press, to
forget how difficult it would otherwise be to learn about matters that
inconvenience those in power.

For example, in a recent by-election here, it was reported that "Many,
especially in the more rural areas" did not even know of the existence of
the opposition coalition - the Pakatan Rakyat
(http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/155001). Another example is how parts of a
speech  by an opposition member in the state assembly of Sarawak were
omitted from the official report of the proceedings (Hansard) - the speech
was about a suspicious land deal connected to the state Chief Minister's
family (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/155022).

Malaysia has a vibrant online alternative media (though the government seems
to be looking at extending repressive laws that govern printed media to
online non-print media, the loophole that has allowed online news
organisations to continue to exist). Twitter, Facebook, and blogs are used
by all sides in the political debate. Without these, news and opinions would
still spread (through SMS, email, word of mouth), but it is faster online
and there are verifiable sources - or at least a fixed place somewhere where
the information is located and associated with a person or organisation.

With regards to Egypt, it's also relevant to note that the first major
demonstration was launched through a Facebook group. The usefulness of
Facebook and Twitter in the logistics of organising large groups is, in my
opinion, probably its most significant contribution in an immediate sense.
Notwithstanding what I have said above about the importance of information
diffusion.

Al Jazeera, which is first and foremost an Arabic news channel, is no doubt
very important too.

Therefore, while I agree that CNN et al overplay the importance of social
media in 'causing' these popular unrests (not to mention Wikileaks), it's
important not to understate the significance of social media either. 

Cheers,
Julian


++++++++++
Blog: www.julianhopkins.net
Twitter: @julianhopkins
Skype: julhop




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