Assessing the Impact of Social Media on the 25 January 2011 Egyptian Revolution

Abstract

In the light of the dramatic events of the 25 January 2011 Egyptian Revolution, many media sources gave too much credit to social media and often labeled it as the Facebook and Twitter revolution while dismissing the role of Egypts most important asset, the Egyptian citizens. This thesis aimed to explore the role and impact of the new social media on sustained social mobilization and the outcome of the 25 January 2011 Egyptian Revolution that led to the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak. The research showed that social media was a vital tool that enabled preexisting networks to override state repressive measures; however, social media was only one of many tools (or factors) that smoothed the progress of social mobilization, and to some limited extent, had an impact on the outcome of the revolution. In sum, both online and offline tools, tactics and strategies, as well as political opportunities facilitated social mobilization, communication, and organization of Egyptian revolutionaries, and therefore, all impacted the outcome of the revolution.