%0 Journal Article 
%T More Than A Fecebook Revolution: Social Movements And Social Media In The Egyptian Arab Spring
%D 2012
%@ 1614-1687
%U http://hdl.handle.net/10906/82326
%X Public opinion leaders and activists characterized the Egyptian “Arab Spring” of January 2011 as a “Facebook
Revolution”. They highlight the intrinsic power of social media as an influencing factor for social change. Undeniably,
social media played important roles in that revolution process. However, these roles cannot be disconnected
from the socio-political contexts. This paper discusses the use of social media, particularly of Facebook,
by the April 6th Youth Movement (A6YM), a decisive actor of the Egyptian protests. It is based on the
analysis of two Egyptian newspapers and one American newspaper, between 2008 and 2011. We propose that
a) social media provided alternative mechanisms for political expression and organization, b) social media contributed
to the genesis and consolidation of the A6YM and to the establishment of youth political identities, and
c) the combination of “bits and streets” amplified not just the movement’s mobilization but the degree of
opposition experienced by the Egyptian regime.
%K Facebook
%K Redes sociales
%K Ciencias sociales
%K Social sciences
%K Cambio social
%~ GOEDOC, SUB GOETTINGEN