Exploring the Arab Spring

Overview

Format: Roundtable Discussion
Lead: John Palfrey
Participants: Yochai Benkler, Andrew McLaughlin, Charles Nesson, Nagla Rizk, Nasser Weddady, and Ethan Zuckerman

What has become known as the “Arab Spring” will serve as a synthesizing case study that will help to weave together the core themes outlined in both the Open Systems/Access and the Online Liberty and Freedom of Expression sessions, with a particular focus on the use of social media and the rise of information control and counter-control activities during recent protests and uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. In this highly interactive sessions, commentators will not only analyze the role of social media, but also consider the different roles and actors that influenced the events, including governments, activists, citizens, and companies.

Readings on the Arab Spring

• Dubai School of Government, "Civil Movements: The Impact of Facebook and Twitter" Arab Social Media Report, May, 2011.
• MENA Net Watch
• Masashi Crete-Nishihata and Jillian York, “Egypt’s Internet Blackout: Extreme Example of Just-in-Time Blocking,” ONI Blog, January 28, 2011.
• James Cowie, “Egypt Leaves the Internet,” Renesys, January 27, 2011.
• ONI's Middle East and North Africa Profiles and News