How media effects Arab Spring Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

How media effects Arab Spring - Research Paper Example The media had a great role in spreading the word and the president then had shut down the internet in the country, which had only aggravated the situation. Inspired by the bold move of Tunisia, other Arab went into the streets to protest against their governments. Egypt followed closely, and the then president attempted the same trick of shutting down the internet to prevent media from spreading the news and just as Tunisia, this infuriated the citizens even more (Aouragh and Alexander, p. 12). In all these protests and demonstrations, media has played a major role in spreading the word. Any attempt to cripple the media has always led to aggravation of the situation of these countries. The role of media in Arab Spring remains controversial. Media is intended to enlighten the people and present them with the news. However, the contribution of media to the Arab Spring is undeniable in all aspects (Khondker, p. 19). It is through media, especially the social media that word of protest spreads and encourages even peaceful regions to hit the streets. Any attempt to shut down media in these countries has always met hostile response from the citizens. A discussion on the sociological potential of media in causing a change in the society started early in 1996 with Manuel Castells’ work, â€Å"The Rise of the Network Society† and recently by â€Å"Communication Power† in 2009. Many writers in the past twentieth century decade have identified the internet potential as a means of reinforcing democracy. More recent scholars have pin pointed the capabilities and limitations of the political role of the new media (Khondker, p. 12). There is a divide in the discussion of this topic. Some see the media as a control tool, one of the dictator’s arsenal of repression. Others view the media in its potential to shape politics and initiating a public sphere in a community that already lacks one. Another group of writers has presented a rather balanced dimension of the