Internet, Social Networks and the Arab Spring

Monday, October 10, 2011, 9.00–10.30, Goethe-Institut

Moderator:

Steven Gan, Editor-in-Chief, Malaysiakini, Malaysia

 

Panel Discussion:

Mohammad Gawdat, Managing Director for Emerging Markets, Google, Egypt

Shahira Amin, Journalist, Egypt

Sultan Barakat, Director, Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit, University of York, United Kingdom/Jordan

 

 

The panel discussed the importance of new forms of social media and its role as a “double-edged sword”. Shahira Amin and Sultan Barakat stated that new forms of social media were not the determining factors in bringing about revolution in Egypt; however, they did see them to be catalysts, providing momentum for change and the ability to network across the region, in a way the governments of the Arab world never expected. Amin also noted how with heavy restrictions on media, new social media becomes one of the only platforms for free expression, allowing the uploading of videos so that people can see what is happening around the world.

 

The panel saw the difficulties in Egypt, post revolution, and also the problems likely to face to media developments, such as the fact that these new sources can also be restricted. Professor Barakat commented that we should not just use new media to quickly mobilize and turn to battle, but encouraged people to think that media is something that should be used carefully and carry a degree of authenticity. He urged people to think about “how can we use it in a constructive way” and avoid “potential pitfalls”. He worried that new media, such as Google, could be used to set up an agenda.

 

However Mohammad Gawdat stressed how Google itself was an “absolutely unbiased platform”. He also stated that YouTube, for instance, does not remove videos, but allows the majority to choose. He added that “enough engagement from enough people will lead to the right answer”, through “wisdom of the crowds”. It was also noted how the internet is one of the hardest mediums to restrict as “unplugging” the internet has huge economic repercussions.