Session A: “A New Window of Opportunity for Storms of Change!” - Baniyas Grand Ballroom
Tuesday, 17 May 2011 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
The recent digital revolutions have clearly demonstrated that just about anyone with internet access has ability to interact in virtual space - far more easily than in physical space. As the number of internet users in the Arab world has increased, pioneers of new media from various segments of society have emerged.
Does this open a new window of opportunity to contribute to change in the Arab world using the phenomenon of Arab and international social media?
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, and other platforms have evolved to become key facilitation platforms on both the domestic and international levels. After the public moved from cyberspace to the streets, the world witnessed for the first time the demise of regimes that have ruled countries for decades in what has been described as a digital revolution or uprising. These mass activities aroused the public and pushed decision makers to become more responsive to the audiences of ‘internet daemons’ who bypassed traditional media platforms and created their special electronic media pulpit.
This session aims to analyze the political and social dimensions of this phenomenon and pose a series of questions about the dimensions and effects of the growing use of these platforms.
Topics:
- Social media platforms created the spark for popular uprisings, and the satellite media played an accompanying role that varied between leading and following. Is this a complementary or a competitive relationship?
- What are the elements that gave this phenomenon its remarkable effectiveness? Why is it easier to motivate people using the internet rather than traditional media?
- Did the role of new media restrict the role of traditional media?
- Who are the pioneers of new media in the Arab world and what are their main attributes?
Speakers:
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