Social Media and Political Protests

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Questions and Answers

What is the main argument for social media being considered a public sphere?

Social media enables individuals to voice their opinions and participate in political processes, contributing to a more informed public.
It allows individuals to connect with others who share their views, fostering a sense of community.
Social media provides a platform for civil discourse and debate, facilitating the exchange of ideas.
It offers unlimited access to information and equal, protected participation for all. (correct)

What is one of the tactics authorities might employ to counter the use of social media by citizens?

Creating social media campaigns to promote government initiatives and policies.
Encouraging constructive dialogue and debate on social media platforms.
Using filters and blocking mechanisms to limit access to certain websites and information. (correct)
Promoting the use of social media for educational and cultural purposes.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a method authorities use to counter social media usage?

Intimidating and detaining activists who use social media to express their views.
Disrupting internet service by shutting down access to global networks.
Spreading government propaganda through social media bots and cybertroopers.
Using social media to track and monitor the activities of individuals and groups. (correct)

Which of the following research methods is NOT mentioned as used in studying social media as a public sphere?

Conducting surveys and questionnaires to gauge public opinion and attitudes towards social media. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of social media as a public sphere, based on the provided information?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why social media is considered a potential public sphere?

The possibility of unlimited access to information and equal participation, regardless of social status or background. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the limitations of existing research on social media as a public sphere, according to the text?

The reliance on theoretical arguments without sufficient empirical evidence to support claims. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a public sphere, as defined by the text?

The use of social media as a platform for promoting political agendas. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of social media in political protests?

Social media facilitates better communication and organization among protesters. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What argument is made against social media serving as a public sphere?

The majority of users engage with it for non-political purposes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

During which political protests was cell phone text messaging significantly utilized?

The ESDA II protests in the Philippines in 2001 (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor limits the impact of the internet on politics in less democratic countries?

Government control over traditional media (B) Signup and view all the answers

What occurrence is considered an early example of the internet's role in political protests in Asia?

Reformasi protests in Malaysia in 1998 (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a misconception about internet access and political engagement?

All internet users are politically active. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do social media platforms enable citizen journalism in repressive countries?

By allowing users to post content and evade censorship. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be a limitation of social media's influence on political change?

Majority of users prefer connecting with friends over political engagement. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is Habermas's view on the effectiveness of new mediated communication in revitalizing the public sphere?

It falls short due to lack of reciprocity between speakers and addressees. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do algorithms contribute to the challenges of forming a public sphere according to the content?

They select and process politically relevant content. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does Habermas identify as contradictory to the essence of a public sphere?

Monetary influence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) launched in Malaysia?

To ensure no censorship of the internet. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What prompted the rise of internet activism in Malaysia following Anwar Ibrahim's sacking?

Public outrage over political corruption. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of corporate interests on social media's role in forming a public sphere?

They hinder unbiased information and participation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the website of the Free Anwar Campaign?

It became a significant platform for opposition. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the view of Habermas, how does mass media influence the public sphere?

It intervenes in public opinion formation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major criticism regarding social media's role in the public sphere?

It has not revitalized the public sphere. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which scholar argues that the original theory of the public sphere overlooks social exclusions?

Fraser (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do critics claim about the concept of unlimited access to information on social media?

It is not attainable due to social barriers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of social media is often deemed unrealistic by critics regarding public participation?

The notion of equal participation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to critics, what external factors influence communication on social media sites?

Institutional influence (A) Signup and view all the answers

What limitation do researchers highlight regarding access to the Internet?

It can be cost prohibitive for some. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The argument presented by critics states that social media's role in promoting public discourse is hindered by what?

Lack of diverse viewpoints. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why do researchers believe that the concept of social media as a public sphere is flawed?

It disregards social and political realities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument regarding the influence of institutions on social media platforms?

Social media platforms like Facebook operate as private entities with financial gain as their primary motivation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do algorithms on social media platforms influence the information users see?

Algorithms prioritize information based on user preferences and interactions, potentially limiting exposure to alternative viewpoints. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of surveillance on social media platforms impact information access?

Surveillance can limit access to diverse information and promote echo chambers by prioritizing content aligned with users' pre-existing views. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument about the relationship between social media and the public sphere?

Social media platforms undermine the public sphere by prioritizing private interests and commodifying user information. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements best reflects the author's view on social media platforms?

Social media platforms pose a threat to the public sphere by prioritizing private interests and surveillance. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the concept of "filtering systems" in the context of social media platforms?

Filtering systems are designed to cater to user preferences but can potentially limit access to diverse perspectives. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theorizing Political Communication and Technology

The connection between the public sphere and new/social media is crucial to understand in the context of political communication and technology.

Social media has enabled political protests and revolutions worldwide, such as the Arab Spring, by allowing individuals to post their own stories and become citizen journalists, sharing and evading censorship controls of repressive regimes.
The use of cell phone text messaging by demonstrators to coordinate protests was first witnessed during the revolution that brought down General Suharto in Indonesia in 1998 and during the EDSA II protests in the Philippines that led to the resignation of Joseph Estrada in 2001.
Social media has been used to organize and coordinate protests in many less democratic countries worldwide, such as in Iran and Egypt, where the state of government could monopolize the production of content in traditional media.

The internet, including social media sites, is organized in ways that meet the requisites of a public sphere, providing unlimited access to information and equal, protected participation.
Some studies have found limited instances of civil discourse online, such as on the White House Facebook page and the Danish Parliament's social media sites.
Social media's general structure appears to provide unlimited access to information and equal, protected participation.

Many researchers have criticized the idea that social media sites have revitalized the public sphere, arguing that the internet and social media sites have not promoted unlimited access to information, equal access, and participation.
The argument against social media as a public sphere cites issues with access to information, equal participation, surveillance constraining information and participation, and institutional influence.

Access to Information and Equal Participation

Information on social media sites is not unlimited, nor is it equal in its access, with exclusion of information happening in multiple ways.
Not everyone has access to the internet, and accessibility to the internet is also problematic.
The social barriers to accessing information and participation refute claims of a revitalization of the public sphere on social media.

Surveillance Constrains Information and Participation

Surveillance on social media allows for algorithms that constrain information, seemingly at the "preference" of the user.
Facebook algorithms predict what you want to see based on what you click on and who you seem to interact with most.
Filtering systems often prevent individuals from experiencing opposing points of view or diverse information on particular topics.
The presence of surveillance on social media also illustrates the influence of institutions, particularly economic interests.

Malaysia: New Media and Politics

Malaysia presents an interesting case study of the challenges posed by the internet and social media in semi-democratic regimes.
In 1995, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad launched the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), which included a commitment that there would be no censorship of the internet in Malaysia.
The internet became a significant alternative medium for opposition groups when the Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was sacked in September 1998.

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Description

This quiz explores the various techniques used by authorities to respond to the use of social media during political protests, including filtering, blocking, and disconnecting online access.