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Social media in the 2011 E gyptian uprising
Author(s) -
Brym Robert,
Godbout Melissa,
Hoffbauer Andreas,
Menard Gabe,
Zhang Tony Huiquan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the british journal of sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.826
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1468-4446
pISSN - 0007-1315
DOI - 10.1111/1468-4446.12080
Subject(s) - outrage , narrative , social media , electronic media , advertising , internet privacy , business , media studies , political science , sociology , computer science , law , politics , art , literature
This paper uses G allup poll data to assess two narratives that have crystallized around the 2011 E gyptian uprising: (1) N ew electronic communications media constituted an important and independent cause of the protests in so far as they enhanced the capacity of demonstrators to extend protest networks, express outrage, organize events, and warn comrades of real‐time threats. (2) N et of other factors, new electronic communications media played a relatively minor role in the uprising because they are low‐cost, low‐risk means of involvement that attract many sympathetic onlookers who are not prepared to engage in high‐risk activism. Examining the independent effects of a host of factors associated with high‐risk movement activism, the paper concludes that using some new electronic communications media was associated with being a demonstrator. However, grievances, structural availability, and network connections were more important than was the use of new electronic communications media in distinguishing demonstrators from sympathetic onlookers. Thus, although both narratives have some validity, they must both be qualified.