The Internet
Do you think that social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter have a positive or negative impact on the crisis in the Middle East?
10 Replies
The Egyptian revolution has been called a "Twitter Revolution." I think that these social networking sites have had a positive influence. "We use Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to coordinate, and YouTube to tell the world," as one Egyptian activist posted on Twitter. Getting the word out, to fellow Egyptians and to the world was an important advantage of the internet throughout the crisis.
The internet allows the people to organize and revolt like nothing else. Without the internet, organizing and demonstrating would be more cumbersome and time-comsuming. The internet is most definately a positive aspect of revolution; it unites people in ways never thought possible.
I think that it has had a positive impact in assisting with planning in the revolutions. However, social networks on a global level also assist terrorist and radical activist groups in their planning for certain activities that are violent or hostile. For example, the radical groups in America that protest at soldiers' funerals are extremely hostile and many of them do use social networking sites to plan these protests.
The internet has had a great effect on the Middle Eastern revolution. Websites like YouTube allow people to upload videos from their point of view as they are participating.
I personally believe that these siets have had almost no bearing on the revolution in Egypt. Why would these Egyptians exactly be caring what people around the world think about what they are doing? These people are doing what they believe is right and will continue to do so until what they are trying to accomplish is done. Unless this happens than these revolts will continue until the GOVERNMENTS of these countries learn to listen to the people. Governments all over te world, including the world powers, need to learn to listen to the opinions of the people and start to do what these people want ou of their government instead of the governenment doing what it feels is best for the country at te time. Governments are supposed to be good for all people and help with roblems that the people face as a whole and to mak sure that they never happen again. I dont think that the social networking sites have had a bearing on the revolts but it's more the governments of these countries that have brought this revolt on themselves because they do not listen to the people and what they want.
I feel that the internet is what you make it. It can have either a positive or negative effect on the Middle East. It is an important source to keep the rest of the world informed. My personal opinion is that it indeed has positive aspects to it. It allows other countries to know exactly what's going on. It allows poeple to share their opinions and ideas on the situation. I don't feel it is necessarily important, but it does advance the knowledge of others.
Internet is a good resource for information and new ideas. Muslims could use it?
I believe that these sites have provided people in the middle east to connect all over the world to gain support and encouragement. They are looking to show the world what is happening in their country and that they want change. It is an easy way of communication and an easy way to contact each other and organize events to support their accusations. Granted if it were not for the internet these people would still fight. I think these sites can be greatly used to the advantage of people involved in this sitution in the middle east
i totally agree with you, the internet is a definate positive influence for the revoution, especially in getting the word out to people in other countries to see the real truth of what is going on instead of listening to someone tell us what is going on and absolutly believe them, people can lie but video can not.
This would greatly depend on the point of view. If you are seeing it from the government's point of view it would be considered bad. For instance, during the revolution in Egypt the government shut down the internet because it was helping the people revolting. On the other hand,if you are looking at it from the point of view of the people revolting then yes, it is very beneficial. But either way, the internet is a powerful tool today for those who want to make a difference in their government or community.
Shawc
Mar 14, 2011 at 10:08 PM