Awesome Social Media

Image credit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12381295 

Egypt's Internet activists have played a key role in the massive protests from the outset. The revolution was in fact publicized on the Internet and the spark was a Facebook invitation. 

As netizen Nazly Hussein recounted “People were really skeptical about it because they didn't think you could have a revolution where you named the date [January 25], but now I look around me and I am really proud of the Egyptian people and the initiative. I'm sure that those who named the date didn't think things would go this far”.

I uppose this is why many governments seek to control online media. A Malaysian government attempt at cyber policing was evident when the Home Ministry announced on January 25, 2011 of their intention to amend the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) to include online “publications” – this has sparked widespread protest from journalists and lawmakers who say the move is a sign of the ruling party’s desperation as they prepare for a 'do or die' general election. Anyway, back to Egypt. Even as Egyptians facebooked and blogged and tweeted, the traditional media continued to exist in a surreal world of make-believe. As the world watched massive peaceful demonstrations calling for an end to Mubarak's dictatorship, viewers of Egyptian state-run TV have been fed a very different story. Official broadcasts show small, if spirited, pro-Mubarak rallies, while Tahrir Square (rally point for protesters) gatherings have been portrayed mainly in a context of violent instability – especially when pro-Mubarak thugs attacked pro-democracy demonstrators on February 02. Even the mammoth "Day of Departure" rally is being filmed by state TV from a distant rooftop, described by the Orwellian caption "Demonstrations to support stability". Arabic commentary asserts similar events are taking place across Egypt. In effect, pro-democracy rallies have become pro-government rallies following Mubarak's warnings of chaos if he leaves office. But not every broadcaster has been so on-message, so docile, so compliant. Shaheera Amin, deputy head of the English-language Nile TV, resigned because she no longer wanted to participate in "their propaganda machine".

The days of meekness, resignation and servility are over – the Egyptians have removed their shackles. Now, Malaysians too must do the same.