The Impact of Social Media in the Egyptian Revolution - Capstone Project Example

It is said that scholars and researchers differ in their opinion on the role of social media. Some have used terms such as Facebook revolution while others undermine the importance of social media platforms and tools. With the aim to evaluate the role of social media during the Egyptian Revolution, three objectives were set in Chapter I. all three objectives have been achieved. Social media plays a very active role in political movements as it provides people a platform to address their concerns, express their opinions, provides an avenue to extend and receive support.

The government of any country usually controls and monitors the traditional media but when the same strategy is applied to the public sphere such as social networking sites and blogosphere, people resist and revolt to the extent it can be counter-productive for the governments. When the President in Egypt imposed web censorship people took to the streets. Social media during the Egyptian revolution 2011, helped to extend solidarity and confidence to the oppressed. Citizen journalists emerged registering their protest against the regime.

The impact of social media was so intense during this revolution that the president had to finally resign in 18 days from the day the protest started. Social media enables activists and coordinators to start specific pages in the interest of the people. The use of social media in politics is still in the nascent stage but it is extensively being used by the citizens, professional journalists, by the politicians, and by coordinators of protests and social movements. In fact, even the mainstream media has been using quotes from social media in their articles.

While the degree may not be very intense, at least it suggests the importance that social media has been gaining. The study concludes that social media has played a very significant role in the Egyptian revolution in 2011. It not only initiated the movement, it helped people at all stages, it helped ineffective communication and collaboration, it enabled an international audience to receive information, and it also enabled protection to people in danger. As suggested by some authors, the role of social media in the Egyptian revolution is not hyped; it has been of tremendous value in shaping reforms.

It is a valuable tool in developing anti-government protests and in designing collective action. It is a disruptive force that can drastically bring about change and reform.