The Social Media Professor

Professor Marcus Messner of Virginia Commonwealth University teaches about global and multimedia journalism, and the latest developments in communications: social media. Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linked, along with the seemingly unending blogosphere, are eclipsing older mediums like newspapers, and even televised nightly news. On his website he shares insights on everything from the significance of social media in recent events in Egypt to more domestic affairs.

Follow him on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/marcusmessner

Political Unrest Grows in the Middle East

Tunisia first lit the flame of civilian discontent in North Africa, then Egypt exploded by successfully overthrowing their leader last Friday. Throughout the last month, huge anti-government protests have spread throughout the region, first in Algeria and Jordan, and now in Iran, Yemen, and Bahrain. The recent cries of protesters parallel those heard in Tunisia and Egypt, calling for democratic ruling and the end of elitist, authoritarian regimes.

While the anti-government protesters have generally been peaceful, police and pro-regime factions are reacting with extreme violence. In Bahrain, two protesters have been shot dead by the police, while plainclothes police hidden among civilian loyalist carry electric tasers and batons, in the streets of Sanaa, Yemen. Iranian Political leaders are calling for opposition leaders to be handed the death penalty, and two have already died. Many others have been wounded while assembling to support the recent activity in Tunisia and Egypt. Most protests show no signs of stopping, though frequent arrests and teargas have slowed them down.

Both President Obama and Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton have voiced support for peaceful protesters and called for peace between various government responses and those who fill the streets.

Read more here:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/20112158387191255.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/world/middleeast/16bahrain.html?hp

New Abortion Bill Changed

On January 20th, a Republican-backed bill was introduced that seeks to render the Hyde Amendment permanent, among other antiabortion provisions. In an effort to cut federal funding for abortions, the new bill tailored existing Hyde Amendment language, changing exceptions for rape to "forcible rape". The new language was met with immediate public outcry from women's groups, prochoice activists, and advocates of rape victims. Their concern was surrounded the new definition of rape, which is widely understood as being a sexual crime of force.

The linguistic change was cut on February 3rd, and returned to the original Hyde wording, which funds abortions in cases of rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother. According to The Washington Post, lawmakers claimed they changed the language because the term forcible was being "misconstrued". The abortion debate has returned to Capitol Hill with a vengeance.

Read more here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/us/politics/09congress.html?scp=1&sq=new%20abortion%20bill&st=cse

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h3/text

Mubarak, No More

On the evening of February 11th, Hosni Mubarak released his iron grip and formally resigned his presidency of almost three decades. His step down from power was met with an ecstatic frenzy from both Egyptian civilian protestors and the military alike, and shouts of "liberation" were exclaimed the world over. The ever-present Egyptian army was quick to make statements about their new governmental control, whilst essaying to calm anxieties about their potential for militaristic rule. In an official statement, the army said that the current civilian leadership would be supported, until a new governmental structure can be put in place. Indeed, the desires of the peaceful protestors were clearly made and heard: they seek democratic reformation of their government.

The tone and volume of the military rule has yet to be fully revealed, along with the role of former Vice President Omar Suleiman. While civilians and soldiers hugged and took hands in the streets on Friday, it's yet to be seen if the army will sincerely meet the demands of the people. Protestors remain in Tahrir square still and they vow to stay put until the democratic standards are met.

As the balance of power swings, the role of the small, yet powerful Muslim Brotherhood remains in question. Throughout the 18-day mass protest throughout the country of 80 million, the Muslim Brotherhood seemed to play a peripheral role at best, as most organizing was carried out through social media like Facebook and Twitter. While much of the Western media has sought to portray the Brotherhood as a band of Islamic extremists, Egypt's Brotherhood has laid low during the protests. The organization has issued only brief statements of support for the revolt, and they will not front a candiate for the presidency.

In the streets of Yemen and Algeria, anti-government protestors emerged to demonstrate after Mubarak's resignation. They were met, however, with police clubs and many were arrested. Although the Egyptian people's breakthrough spring hope for ending dictatorships in Yemen and Algeria, the futures of all three countries remain in the balance.

Read more here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/world/middleeast/13egypt.html?_r=1&hp

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/12/AR2011021200888.html?hpid=topnews

Egypt in the News: Different Perspectives

While recent unrest in Tunisia may have lit the flame of anti-government protest throughout the Arab World, Egypt is undoubtedly in the forefront of the fire. Mubarak supporters, including the military, have reacted to anti-government protesters with extremely violent tactics--from club beatings and frequent gunfire, to rocks and firebombs. This week the violence came to a head between both factions at a rally of tens of thousands in Tahrir Square on Wednesday, leaving at least five dead and over 800 wounded. Most news sources confirm these happenings as fact, however, the coverage on the Egyptian varies from central to peripheral according to different newspapers.

The Dallas Morning News' coverage of Egypt is largely absent on the website, with only an editorial, while the homepage is focused on local weather and the Superbowl. Short stories regarding the inflammatory protests are buried in the World News section, yet they offer little information about the repercussions from Egypt in the rest of the Arab world, the minor role of the Islamic Brotherhood, and the media-centered nature of the protests.

Both the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, however, have offered more comprehensive coverage. The Times remarks that contrary to previous speculation, the revolution is not being led by Islamic Brother, but young people and intellectuals. Moreover, the Times refers to Egyptian protest as largely symbolic in the Arab world, evoking powerful echoes of Abdel Nasser. Egyptians themselves in protest are utilizing language of Arab unity, which was so familiar in the 1960's.

Plastered all over the Journal's homepage are stories and images from Egypt. Their coverage also refers to messages of Arab unity, based on the common problem of despotic and corrupt regimes, and efforts to overthrow them. Both the Journal and the Times have made it clear that new media, such as Facebook and Twitter have been central to the Egyptian organizing process. Lastly, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Al Jazeera have all reported on the spread of the Egypt government crackdown beyond Egyptian nationals to foreign observers and reporters. Two NYtimes reporters, two Washington Post staffers, and three Al Jazeera reporters are among the detained journalists. The Al Jazeera detainees have yet to be released.

Unrest continues in Cairo and throughout Egypt.

Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/

New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/middleeast/03arab.html?hp

Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/public/page/mideast.html?mod=quicklinks_egypt

Al Jazeera:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201123165214813586.html

Protest in Egypt -- "Egyptians' Fury has Smoldered Beneath the Surface for Decades"

Egypt has erupted in protest. The grievances behind the protests have long been there. Egyptian President Mubarak has held power for over 30 years, largely through election rigging. This past November in the Parliamentary elections, the president’s party won 500 of 518 seats, which resulted in the loss of almost all opposition seats. The effect is that voices of opposition have been pushed out of government. Furthermore, the Egyptian government does not have a clean history in regards to human rights. The Emergency Law, passed in 1981 allows people to be arrested without charges, detain prisoners indefinitely, and limit freedom of expression and assembly. While the law is only supposed to be used to combat terrorism, that is not the reality. Low wages and poverty are also a source of the Egyptians’ discontent with the current regime. Nearly half of Egyptians live on less than $2 a day. The people have taken to the streets in protest, calling for President Mubarak to step down.

To the full New York Time Article, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/world/middleeast/29mubarak.html?_r=1&hp

State of the Union

On Tuesday, the 25th, President Obama delivered this year’s State of the Union address. He emphasized bipartisanship and efforts to get the economy back on track. He also emphasized spending in critical areas, such as education and clean-energy technology. However, Republicans believe his approach is to the deficit is not enough.

To hear the State of the Union Address, click here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2011

To read about the State of the Union Address, click here: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/state_of_the_union_message_us/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=state%20of%20the%20union%20&st=cse