Social Media and Political Activism from Samizdat to the Arab Spring Professor Eric Freedman 3 October 2011 Klaipeda University

The Political Power of Communications Technologies “Why should any man be allowed to buy a printing press and disseminate pernicious opinions calculated to embarrass the government?” Vladimir Lenin (1920) “Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party.” Josef Stalin (1923)

Lecture Outline Samizdat in the Soviet era Modern regime efforts to suppress cyberdissent Arab Spring 2011 Implications & unresolved issues for the future

Glossary Repressitarian: Both authoritarian in governance and repressive in human rights practices Samizdat: Illegal. underground publications during Soviet times ICT: Information and communication technology Stakeholder: A person, group of institution affected by a decision or policy NGO: Nongovernmental organization

Samizdat in the Soviet Era, "I myself create it, edit it, censor it, publish it, distribute it, and... get imprisoned for it.” Vladimir S самиздат Laisves Sauklys Vytis

“Recent developments demonstrate how blogging and social media tools may fulfill a crucial role for non- journalists and oppositional groups that journalism serves in more democratic societies.” Bowe, Freedman & Blom, 2011

Theory: UNESCO Model for Digital Rights—Part 1 GoalsMain StakeholdersStrategies/Objectives Access-Freedom of connection E-businesses; governments; civil society advocates; consumers of info & com Infrastructures/services; media literacy/skills; public access facilities; lower access costs Freedom of expressionCivil society & human rights groups; press & media Challenge laws, practices & regulations interfering with free expression CensorshipGovernments; ISPs; political & interest groups; regulators; human rights advocates Filtering; block websites; arrest bloggers; impose other legal restrictions EqualityPress & media groups; developing & developed countries Rebalance coverage; reduce inequities; decentralize news production; reduce dominance of global media

Theory: UNESCO Model for Digital Rights-Part 2 GoalsMain StakeholdersStrategies/Objectives Freedom of informationCivil society; politicians, NGOs; citizen groups Promote access to government & public info through policies & laws Privacy & data protectionCourts; law enforcement; government agencies; citizens; users Enable data-sharing; try to protect personal information from unauthorized disclosure; avoid unjustified surveillance

Reality: Prisoner of Free Expression in an Electronic World

Scenes from the Arab Spring

Discussion Points Is grassroots-generated political change always good, and for whom? Can communications technology be misused, and who determines that? What happens when established power institutions themselves wield new communications technologies? Are there important things that the “old,” “traditional” or “legacy” media do—or at least did—better than online and social media do—at least so far?