| Summary
This homework for the faculty of 'Islamic Studies' at the 'Free University of Berlin' is about the "Use and Usage of 'New Media' by Opposition Movements of the Middle East". After discussing the terms 'New Media', 'Opposition Movements' and 'Middle East' in their context, I give a detailed review on the distribution of the Internet in the area of my research. Based on data compiled in April 2002 I generate two graphs (1, 2) from which can be concluded that access to the Internet is still very constricted in most countries of the region, including the countries with a liberal approach towards the Internet contrary to their press laws. States with a substantial percentage of 'users' often impose drastic restrictions and means of surveillance on them. I further discuss options to evade or circumvente such restrictions and controls but conclude that for the average 'user' in the Middle East it is unlikely to use the Internet as a source of alternative political information and least of all as a political platform. With respect to the usage of the Internet by oppositional movements I investigate 'online presences' of different oppositional actors from all over the region. Generally speaking there are three possible focal points that can be emphasized in an 'online presence': self portrayal, propagation of information, means of communion and open discussion. All of these forms of 'online presence' may be found in my chosen examples. It seems that in terms of integration, involvement and mobilization of members and prospects means of intercommunion and communication are important, but such a decentralized discussion might render the way of opposition work and override their former internal 'monopole of opinion'. A couple of professional organizations obviously try to avoid this effect by keeping their 'online presences' just informational. Other organizations who deal with sensitive information in an environment of surveillance seem deliberately not to utilize such opportunities. This seems to apply especially to opposition movements tolerated by the government who operate more or less publicly. If so, an important section of the opposition does not feel free to take advantage of this central possibility the Internet creates. Since the access to the Internet and the general use of this media is still in its early stages in the Middle East, further monitoring is needed to come to a more comprehensive conclusion. Trends concerning ‘old’ mass media and other forms of 'New Media' in the region, such as cellular phone and international (Arabic) satellite broadcasting, should be compared with the Internet concerning their impact on the formation of public opinion.
I hereby ascertain that links leading outside of my web presence are chosen within the subject of this scientific work “Use and Usage of New Media by Opposition Movements in the Middle East”. I have no political or whatsoever interest in their content or in the related organizations themselves other than this scientific approach. Some links to sites of central interest for this work are subject to change, for this reason I offer a limited number of screenshots. The copyright for these graphics belongs to the concerned organizations if not mentioned otherwise. Any organization or person unhappy about being linked to by this document should contact me about their or his concern.
04/2002 David Haberlah, student of Geography (Geology, Islamic Studies) – FU Berlin |
