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Abstract
The use of newly developed media technology such as the internet to organize a mass protest in Egypt was a surprise to most people. This was mainly because such techniques have not been effectively used in such a way. Political movements have for example been conducted through physical rallies and appearances in media such as television and radio.
Egypt thus becomes the first country to use such technology for a successful revolution. This paper seeks to discuss how new media techniques changed news in the Egyptian revolution. The paper will utilize resources that have documented the communication technologies in Egypt and how these technologies have been used by both the Egyptian government as well as the Egyptian people.
The paper then undertakes to discuss the effects that were felt following these technological developments and the reaction that was developed across all divides as a result of the effects of the developed communication technologies.
Significant technologies as developed with respect to two Egyptian revolutions, one in the year 1952 and the other in the year 2011 are discussed in line with the roles that these communication technologies played in the development and execution of the revolutions.
The result of the research indicated that communication technology is a vital tool in revolutionary processes. Though communication tools did not reportedly play a major role in the first revolution, their possible impacts were foreseen and suppressive measures were taken to avert civil uproar. A similar threat was eminent in the year 2011 but was ignored till too late in the middle of the protests. The paper thus concludes that communication technology was the vital tool in the revolution in Egypt in the year 2011 and could have caused a similar revolution in 1952 if the then government did not oppress it.
Research questions
The emergence and development of media technologies has over time been felt in the global aspect. Such developments were influenced by the revolutionary wave that resulted from industrial revolution and globalization. Egypt like the rest of the world has been subject to these technological developments in the communications sector.
Questions can therefore be asked such as what technological advancements have been realized in the Egyptian communications system? What impacts have these developments caused in the country? Or even how have these developments been received in Egypt?
The paper will employ these questions in the research activity to develop the research basis, findings as well as the conclusions of this paper. The impacts of the developed technologies will then be analyzed with respect to the two revolutions that have been realized in Egypt. The first revolution was experienced in the country in the year 1952 with the second being registered in the year 2011.
Developments in media technology and the Egyptian revolution of the year 1952
Egypt is believed to have had a long time experience of in communication systems. Writing is for example believed to have its historic roots in Egypt. Other communication techniques such as “advertisement and propaganda” are also believed to have had their roots in Egypt (Cooper, 2005, p. 82).
Development of the printing press is reported to have been in established Egypt by the beginning of the nineteenth century through the effort of Napoleon. Further developments in the media were realized in the twentieth century following the development of radio technology.
According to Cooper, radio transmissions were effective in the country by the year 1932 and were transmitted to a number of Arab countries in Africa and the Middle East regions whose citizens enjoyed the Egyptian radio communications (Cooper-Chen Anne, 2005, 82).
The inventions of the print and radio media technologies are reported to have greatly influenced people in Egypt and even in the neighboring countries to Egypt. The printing press was for example of importance to a wide number of scholars who wanted to have their works printed. Scientists for example were able to have the results of their research easily printed for records. Others people in the society also had the advantage of easily accessing written information that became more available.
Communication was specifically made easier by the development of newspaper companies in Egypt that started towards the end of the nineteenth century. Some of the newspaper companies such as the “al-Ahram” were established in as early as the year 1876 (Fandy, 2007, p. 30).
The major effect of these developments in communication technologies was the ease with which people could be connected to other parts of the country and be informed of the developments that were happening in the country. Egyptians were thus more informed and enlightened by the end of the first half of the twentieth century.
Reaction to these media technology developments, print media and radio, were contained to people’s satisfaction until the revolution that took place in Egypt in the year 1952. After the revolution, a lot of restrictions were for example put on newspaper companies.
The new government after the revolution that overthrew the then government acquired partial possession of the press to give the government influence over the press. Cases of restrictions of what the print media could publish were reported as a high level of censorship over the press was established.
The government at the same time monitored articles of the newspaper companies prior to their publications. The main reason for such government reaction towards the media was the fact that most of the companies were owned by foreigners, a group that the new government did not trust at all.
The government was with this respect seen to have negatively reacted to the development of the press by suppressing their operations through censorship. Such reactions could have been due to threats that the government perceived to be posed by an exclusive independent media (Fandy, 2007, p. 31).
The move by the newly established government to own the media company was also meant to control the nature of information that was being spread by these companies. Though restrictions on the media was put immediately after the revolution, the government still thought of the media as being “used as propaganda tools for the effective mobilization of masses” (Cooper, 2005, p. 83) for anti government movements.
The developments of media technology in Egypt prior to the 1952 revolution therefore enlisted mixed reactions between those who were in power and the citizenry group who were seemingly being oppressed by the government. The citizens appreciated the media as a source of information which could unite them to voice their concerns about the government while those who were in the government saw the press as a forum that was being used to destabilize it. The media technology thus increased the ease in which news was available to the Egyptians though this role in availing news to the people was countered by government restrictions (Cooper, 2005, p. 83).
Media technology and the modern Egyptian (2011) revolution
Though the developed media technology did not directly cause the Egyptian revolution of the year 1952, it posed a threat of influencing people’s thoughts over the political situation that was experienced at the time. Necessary measures were then enforced by the government to avert the effects that could be caused by a free media.
A number of communication tools have however been developed in the country since the 1952 revolution. During this revolution, only the print and radio had been adequately developed in Egypt as tools of communication among the country’s citizens. Time has however seen the development of a variety of technologies that are used for communication.
Communication tools that are currently available in the county include “landline telephones, cell phones, smart phones, video and web conferencing, social networking sites, online chat tools and fax” (Business, 2011, p. 1). One of the most popular communication tools is the social sites where people meet online to share their experiences and thoughts with friends.
The social networking in the internet is just the same as networking that is normally experienced in society with the only difference that there might not be physical contact between the social groups as in traditionally practice. The networking is done on sponsored web pages that members can freely access.
Members of social network posts information on these networks after which any other member can read and respond to the posts. Direct communications through chatting have also been developed where by a person can make direct private written texts to an individual without access by a general social network society.
Fax machines and telephones together with mobile phones are also developed communication techniques that are currently widely used. The internet has however been the basis of the widely developed social network communication that has created a massive connectivity of people. These networks are found online and are accessed through the internet (Business, 2011, p. 1).
Specific identification has for example been made to the effects that these technologies had in the revolution that Egypt felt in the recent past. It has been reported that a majority of those who are seeking leadership at different levels turned to the currently developed technologies such as the mobile phones and the internet to mount their campaigns into their desired positions.
Groups and individuals who were opposed to the Egyptian government are reported to have resorted to these social networks to lodge their anti government campaigns in Egypt. The origin or the unrest in Egypt was for example traced to a social group that was formed in facebook by the name “we are all Khaled Said” (Brisson, 2011, p. 1).
Another social media network, Twitter, was also used for the same purpose. The use of social networks in Egypt has been widely adopted by the youth falling in the age group of bellow thirty five years. A majority of the Egyptian social network users are registered in facebook with others being registered in the other network, Twitter.
It is reported that the developed interest of these networks in the country is so intensely felt such that even the older generations and youths who are not able to access the networks are constantly talking about the networks. This large following as adopted by the Egyptian population bore a significant influence in the rise of the revolution that was experienced in Egypt in the year 2011. Anti government activists together with opposition activists resorted to express their negative campaigns against the government in these network where they got the necessary support for the Egyptian anti government campaigns (Brisson, 2011, p. 1).
Mobile phone usage was another technology that was widely used by Egyptians to pass information in the time frame of the development all through to the end of the uprising. This technology was used by people for the basic interpersonal communications regarding the then situation in the country.
The use of developed mobile phones that even took pictures of the process of demonstrations which were then transferred to other communication media was a motivation to the revolutionary process as reports of people’s commitment to change was transmitted through resources that were retrieved using such mobile phones.
Development of communications technology in Egypt such as the internet and internet services like social networks together with other communications technologies such as mobile phones among others had a great impact in Egypt. Its major impact is the revolution that led to the ousting of president Mubarak in the year 2011 since such campaigns were started in the media offered by developed technology (Brisson, 2011, p. 1).
Technological developments in Egypt enlisted mixed reactions especially during the time duration of the revolution. The anti government bodies who initiated the protests together with those who supported the protest welcomed and greatly used the technology.
The citizens also appreciated the technology as they kept themselves informed of the developments of the protest (Brisson, 2011, p. 1). The government on the other hand did not welcome the effects that were being caused by the developed technology. As a result, the government made efforts to stop communications through these technologies. Internet and even mobile phone networks were for example cut by the government to stop the communications through these media (Arthur, 2011, p. 1).
Research Methodology
This research is meant to shade light on the value of communication in the society. This research will be based on nation of Egypt whereby the role that the media has played is brought to light. In order to be sure that this objective is met, an elaborate methodology is laid down to help in capturing the most relevant information on the topic.
A combination of primary and secondary methods of collecting information is used to ensure that there is a good capturing of information that will bring out the significance of the media in the society. An interview is planned to be included in the research to augment the primary sources. This is analyzed in the following sections.
Data Collection
In carrying out any research, the need to ensure that the best methods of carrying out the research are used is usually very vital. Data collected determines the validity of the conclusions drawn in a research work. Collection of data is mainly classified into primary and secondary methods.
Secondary means mainly entails collecting data from research works which have already been carried out; it is important that in collecting information from already carried out research work, care is taken to only use sources which are credible and which will give information without any bias. Significantly secondary data collection is carried out through the use of literature review. Collection of information through the use of primary data is quite significant as it gives first hand information.
Secondary Data collection
As noted above this method makes use of literature already written down on a given topic. In carrying out this research, an attempt was made to only pick the resources which are considered as reliable for the validity of the research.
To ensure that the research earns credibility an attempt was made to ensure that the sources used are credible and furthermore a brief annotation of the secondary sources was developed to bring out their significance.
Primary Data Collection
Use of primary data is very essential as it makes it possible for up to date information to be collected. It also makes it possible for any bias described in literature review to be corrected and thus in that capacity acts as a good internal check system for a research project.
It is very necessary that primary means of collecting information is applied especially in the context of this research. There is a possibility of the authorities manipulating the information which comes out to the general world especially when such information does not depict the authorities in a positive manner.
In such a case, the need to move to the ground level for the collection of information stands out. Information collected from the primary sources is usually reliable and up to date. However, there is a possibility of collecting bias information, for instance, by interviewing people who might be inclined towards a given side in a given topic.
When collecting information through the primary channels, care should be equally taken to avoid using primary sources which are biased. This makes it possible for the conclusions drawn from a research project to be readily accepted by all parties and the implementation of the recommendations made if any becomes easy.
It proposed that for the research to be comprehensive there will be a need for an interview to be carried out at the ground level. It is suggested that three categories of people in touch with nation of Egypt be interviewed. The categories are:
- Local ordinary citizens
- Egyptians Academicians
- Civil rights activities
- International Journalists (CNN)
- Government officials
The choice to interview the local ordinary citizens is viewed to be significant because it is believed that they are very much in touch with the ground and therefore will likely give information from what they have witnessed.
This is most likely to be the case if the older people are interviewed because they will be in a good position to compare the past and the present in terms of the difference that has been brought about by the changes in technology has affected the news in the nation of Egypt especially in regard to the two revolutions which have taken place in Egypt.
Another group of people expected to give vital information are the academicians especially those pursuing careers relevant to the research topic. International and local journalist and civil rights activists are also expected to give some relevant information on the research topic. Finally, views will be sort from some government officials.
It is expected that the interviewed will be carried out face to face and in case where it might not be possible then the interview might be done over the telephone. Questionnaires will also be used in cases it will be seen to be appropriate over face to face and over the telephone interviews.
Ethical Issues
Care will be taken to carry out the research in accordance to research ethics. Use of real names will be used for secrecy purpose and those who will participate in the research will be made aware that they are participating on a voluntary basis and that they will be allowed to terminate their participation at any time.
Minor will be participate in the research but if a need arises, as the situation may demand, and then all steps will be taken to ensure that the parties responsible, for instance guardian and parents, are informed. The information collected will be specifically used for the purpose of learning.
Time schedule for the research
The collection of data will entail much movement. It is therefore good that a time schedule is constructed to ensure wise spending of time and appropriate allocation of time to all the activities that need to be carried out. A time schedule will ensure that time is spent well and that all the activities are attended proportionally for a successively research project.
Sample annotation of the secondary sources
Egypt cuts off internet access
This was an article which appeared in the Guardian and authored by Charles Arthur. Arthur narrates how and why there was an internet break in Egypt. This was carried out by the Egyptian government during the second revolution.
The article shows the high handedness of the government over media facilities though the effect of shutting down the internet did not seem to bear much fruit probably because the internet had already inspired people to a point of no return.
Egypt: from revolutions to institutions
This article systematically examines the role that advancement in technology has played in the past Egypt revolution. The article examines two ways in which technology can be used: to topple governments which are viewed as autocratic and also the technology can be used to by people who are hungry for power. Viewed from either side, the article brings out the full influence that technology in media facilities has.
Global entertainment media: content, audiences, issues
The text examines the crucial role played by the TV in spreading out news. The text examines some regions where TV has had a great impact and influence. The text simply shows the great influence of the entertainment media and how amazingly it can influence people in mass numbers.
Un-Civil war of words: media and politics in the Arab world
This text delves deep into the politics of technology in media and shows how media houses are being used for political purposes. The text examines huge media houses such as Al-Jazeera and the influence they have on regional politics especially in the Arabic world.
My Own Business
This article comprehensively examines the tools which are used for communication purpose. The article examines the different ways in which information is moved around using the advanced technology means. Most of the means of communication examined in this article are used on everyday basis and are very significant for passing information for whatever purpose.
Conclusion
The new media technology that include the use of internet to access social media networks, advanced mobile phones that can make audio and video records among other newly developed communications tools such as smart phones has greatly improved the communication system in Egypt, just as it has done in the rest of the world.
These tools have however been employed in Egypt to achieve significant objectives that included the revolution in 2011. The effects of such tools together with its mixed reactions from both sides have thus been realized and can be projected to global aspects.
References
Arthur, C. (2011) Egypt cuts off internet access. Web.
Brisson, Z. (2011) Egypt: from revolutions to institutions. Web.
Business. (2011) Communication tools. Web.
Cooper, A. (2005) Global entertainment media: content, audiences, issues. New Jersey, NJ: Routledge.
Fandy, M. (2007) Civil war of words: media and politics in the Arab world. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.
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