Module 4 The Future of Connectivity: Political & Global Implications
So far we have looked at the future of connectivity through the technological and social perspectives. However, how we communicate with each other has larger implications that affect controversial issues such as Internet censorship and government surveillance of citizens. The way the Internet and more specifically, social media, has been used in political uprisings & protests across the world is transforming and empowering a once voiceless people, giving way to a kind of social/digital activism.
As you read and watch the material below, think of how the internet and social media has the power to change not only a country, but perhaps the world, as well.
The World Wide Web (WWW) as we have known it for several decades may see drastic changes in the emerging future. Review the resources listed below to learn about the implications for possible restricted use of the Internet because of political, global and economic policies and sanctions.
Definitions/Concepts to know:
- World Wide Web Governance: ICANN
Links to an external site.
- Net Neutrality Links to an external site.
- Repression Links to an external site.
- Transparency Links to an external site.(in regards to information flow)
- Censorship Links to an external site.
Things to watch:
Inside the Egyptian revolution
Links to an external site.
The role of Twitter in the Iran Elections of 2009
Links to an external site.
Social media and revolution in the Arab world
Links to an external site.
Behind the Great Firewall of Chin
Links to an external site.
Things to read:
Overview:
- The Internet, the perfect tool for the surveillance state? Further reading (and watching) on the state of digital privacy. Links to an external site.
- MAP: Here are the countries that block Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Links to an external site.
World Wide Web Governance and Issues:
- ICANN: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Links to an external site.
- NTIA: National Telecommunications and Information Administration Links to an external site.
- Internet Governance Project Links to an external site.
- Who Controls the Internet's Address Book? Links to an external site.
- FCC Holds Internet Round Tables to Discuss Net Neutrality Links to an external site.
Protests and/or censorship in:
- Turkey:
- Turkey blocks use of Twitter after prime minister attacks social media site. Links to an external site.
- Turkish police round up young protestors for use of social media. Links to an external site.
- Turkey v. Twitter Links to an external site.
- The last chance to stop Turkey's harsh new Internet law Links to an external site.
- Egypt:
- Egypt's Facebook Revolution: Wael Ghonim Thanks the Social Network Links to an external site.
- Spring Awakening: How an Egyptian Revolution began on Facebook Links to an external site.
- Wael Ghonim: Creating a 'Revolution 2.0' in Egypt Links to an external site.
- The faces of Egypt's 'Revolution 2.0' Links to an external site.
- Facebook post that sparked Egyptian revolution Links to an external site.
- China:
- China blocks chat apps, deletes social media accounts. Links to an external site.
- China lifts Facebook ban...a bit Links to an external site.
- Great Firewall of China: test any website in real time and see if it's censored in China. Links to an external site.
- China defends blocking Facebook, Twitter, and Bloomberg. Links to an external site.
- Media censorship in China Links to an external site.
- Arab Spring:
- Opening closed regimes: What was the role of social media during the Arab Spring? (PDF) Links to an external site.
- New study quantifies use of social media in Arab Spring Links to an external site.
- Role of the new media in the Arab Spring (PDF) Links to an external site.
- Mining Twitter data from the Arab Spring Links to an external site.
- So, was Facebook responsible for the Arab Spring after all? Links to an external site.
- Arab Social Media Report: Civil Movements - The Impact of Facebook and Twitter Links to an external site.
- Social media has been a mixed blessing for the Arab Sprin Links to an external site.g
- Tunisia:
- Tunisia protesters use Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to help organize and report Links to an external site.
- Tunisia's bitter cyberwar Links to an external site.
- Anonymous and Tunisia: a new cyber warfare? Links to an external site.
- Anonymous activists target Tunisian government sites Links to an external site.
- An open letter to all media - Anonymous - Operation Tunisia (PDF) Links to an external site.
- A Nobel Peace Prize for Twitter? Links to an external site.
- Iran:
- Iran elections: a Twitter revolution? Links to an external site.
- Iran and the "Twitter Revolution" Links to an external site.
- Tear gas and Twitter: Iranians take their protests online Links to an external site.
- All a'Twitter: How social networking shaped Iran's election protests Links to an external site.
- Social networks spread defiance online Links to an external site.
- Social media: Enemy of the State or Power to the People? Links to an external site.
- Social media and social/digital activism:
- Changing the Face(book) of social activism Links to an external site.
- Small change: why the revolution will not be tweeted Links to an external site.
- Social media stew plays potent role in digital activism Links to an external site.
- Political activism 2.0: Comparing the role of social media in Egypt's "Facebook Revolution" and Iran's "Twitter Uprising" Links to an external site.
- How social media is changing global activism Links to an external site.
-
What the Arab Spring tells us about the future of social media in revolutionary movements
Links to an external site.
Organizations to watch:
- Center for Public Policy Innovation Links to an external site. (CPPI)
- NTIA: National Telecommunications and Information Administration--Internet Policy Links to an external site.
- ICANN: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Links to an external site.