The Impact of Social Media on Popular Protests: Opportunities, Risks, and Manipulation by Authoritarian Regimes.

Extract

[...] It is crucial to answer this question in order to grasp the dynamics of protest movements, predict future trends, and prepare activists to use them in a more strategic and secure manner. Therefore, pTo answer this question, the analysis will be structured around three main axes. Firstly, we will see l'impact de mobilizations of social media Then, we will address thethe limits and difficulties ofdigital technologies Finally, we will make a synthesis and outline the future possibilities for the challengers I. [...]

[...] On the other hand, cyberpessimists highlight the risks of these technologies, particularly their ability to consolidate existing power structures and serve as a tool for surveillance and repression by authoritarian regimes. The problem of this study was to evaluate the real impact of social networks and other digital technologies on popular demonstrations and to understand how these tools are used or manipulated in authoritarian environments. It is clear that, although social networks offer effective means to coordinate and disseminate protest movements, they also present significant risks. [...]

[...] Institute French of International Relations, 100. file:///Users/user/Downloads/Faris_2012%20(2).pdf Larry Diamond. (2010). LIBERATION TECHNOLOGY. JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY, 21, 101-105. file:///Users/user/Downloads/Diamond_2010%20(2).pdf Thomas Poell et José van Dijck. (2024). Social Media and New Protest Movements. 547. file:///Users/user/Downloads/Poell_et_van_Dijck_2018%20(3).pdf Tucker et al. [...]

[...] In addition to facilitating the dissemination of information, social networks also offer movements the opportunity to garner international support through viral campaigns that draw global attention to their causes. They also make it easier to collect funds and resources, which are essential to the sustainability of protest movements. To conclude on their advantages, Social networks can play a role in creating a sense of urgency and accelerating the international response to humanitarian crises or severe human rights violations, thus encouraging public opinion and decision-makers to act quickly. [...]

[...] In these countries, social media play a crucial role as means of liberation for citizens and political instrumentalization for authorities. For example, in China, the state applies an advanced censorship and surveillance system, called the "Great Firewall", to filter data and limit exchanges on social media. In Iran, authorities implement sophisticated methods to monitor online dissident movements, using strategies such as infiltrating spyware onto personal devices and massive surveillance of communications." This ambiguity of social media, which can both liberate and oppress, highlights the importance of adopting a more nuanced and critical approach to their use in political situations, particularly in authoritarian regimes. [...]