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The Impact of Social Networks and Mobile Technologies on the Revolutions in the Arab World—A Study of Egypt and Tunisia

Author

Listed:
  • Alana Maurushat

    (Faculty of Law, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Mohamed Chawki

    (International Association of Cybercrime Prevention (AILCC), 1-3 rue Frédérick Lemaître, Paris 75020, France)

  • Hadeel Al-Alosi

    (Faculty of Law, Humanities and Arts, The University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

  • Yassin El Shazly

    (College of Law, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

Abstract

Revolts in Tunisia and Egypt have led many observers to speak of the “first digital revolution” in the Arab world. Social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, are now recognised as the important tools that facilitated the “Jasmine Revolution”. In fact, the willingness of the Mubarak government to block all internet connection in Egypt has demonstrated the concern over the power of new technologies in facilitating political change. The tenacity of the social movements that are still on-going in the Arab world continues to demonstrate the important role that networked technologies—such as the internet, satellite channels and social networking sites—play in revolutions. The revolutions demonstrate an effective use of social media and other network technologies as an organisational tool, and as a means of asserting pressure on current rulers and future governments. Accordingly, this article seeks to expose freedom of expression as a fundamental democratic principle and the internet network as a vehicle driving the demonstrations in the Arab countries of Tunisia and Egypt.

Suggested Citation

  • Alana Maurushat & Mohamed Chawki & Hadeel Al-Alosi & Yassin El Shazly, 2014. "The Impact of Social Networks and Mobile Technologies on the Revolutions in the Arab World—A Study of Egypt and Tunisia," Laws, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlawss:v:3:y:2014:i:4:p:674-692:d:40991
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wagner, Ben, 2012. "Push-button-autocracy in Tunisia: Analysing the role of Internet infrastructure, institutions and international markets in creating a Tunisian censorship regime," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 484-492.
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