May 27th, 2008 by Amanda

Post Global offers a full panel commentary on the emerging role of blogging and social networking websites in the Arab world by asking if they are affecting politics, and “is the impact positive?” Mona Eltahawy notes that in many Middle Eastern countries, most notably Egypt, the “desire to take on both the regime and the old guard of their movement compels young Muslim Brotherhood members in Egypt – men and women – to blog.”

Nioroge Wachai echoes her positive remarks about the influence of the internet, considering social networks like Facebook to be “political weapons.” Eltahawy remarks, however, that the movement comes with a price–many activists who used such sites to organize the most recent uprisings have been detained and beaten by Egyptian Security Forces.

Mustafa Domanic is a bit less enthusiastic about the sheer force of on-line activity without heavy on-the-ground efforts, but agrees that “the internet has enhanced freedom of speech in most countries in unprecedented ways, by breaking government monopolies on information, communications and the media.” Anwer Sher also sees internet participation as “becoming more powerful” he counters that it is “no automatic revolution,” believing it sets the groundwork but is not the ultimate solution.

For more on economic developments that “are beginning to spark unrest in Egypt,” and causing public protest that have been constructed by bloggers, read this analysis by Ibrahim Saif and Ava Leone in The Daily Star.

UPDATE: The Brookings Institution examines the topic “Middle East Youth Bulge: Challenge or Opportunity?”

Posted in Egypt, Journalism |