In order to grasp the relevance of the Internet in the Tunisian uprising,this chapter has three sections. Firstly, attention is addressed to the sociologicalripples of new technologies: the Internet has to be understood as alink in a technological chain that, in the hand of skilful users, may be aneffective tool. The second part presents the political and social vacuum ofBen Ali’s regime that made the Internet a safety valve: despite the superficialappearance of democracy, traditional institutions (parties, trade unions,mass media, associations, etc.) were not able to channel dissent due to stronggovernmental obstructionism. Finally, in-depth analysis of selected Tunisianwebsites and blogs highlights their position in the transition phase as a forumof challenge and iconoclasm: the Internet proves to be a medium moresuitable to criticism and questioning than to consensus and agenda-setting.
From Turmoil to Dissonant Voices: The Web in the Tunisian Thawra
Melfa D.;
2012-01-01
Abstract
In order to grasp the relevance of the Internet in the Tunisian uprising,this chapter has three sections. Firstly, attention is addressed to the sociologicalripples of new technologies: the Internet has to be understood as alink in a technological chain that, in the hand of skilful users, may be aneffective tool. The second part presents the political and social vacuum ofBen Ali’s regime that made the Internet a safety valve: despite the superficialappearance of democracy, traditional institutions (parties, trade unions,mass media, associations, etc.) were not able to channel dissent due to stronggovernmental obstructionism. Finally, in-depth analysis of selected Tunisianwebsites and blogs highlights their position in the transition phase as a forumof challenge and iconoclasm: the Internet proves to be a medium moresuitable to criticism and questioning than to consensus and agenda-setting.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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