Democratisation and the use of internet in the Middle East

January 2010

“Free Esraa” is a Facebook group to free the Egyptian lady, Esraa Abdelfatah, who was arrested by the police ( Libérez Esraa et ses Camarades. Free Esraa 2008). Esraa Abdel Fatah’s only fault was to create Facebook group asking people to participate in a demonstration ( Libérez Esraa et ses Camarades. Free Esraa 2008). Miss Abdel Fatah, 27 years old, is one of many Egyptians who were arrested because of using Facebook groups to support demonstrations in Egypt (Stack 2008 a, p.7). This illustrates how internet is used to achieve democratization in the Middle East despite of governments’ opposition. Internet has nowadays become an essential need in daily life for many people. Moreover, the link between internet and democratization is believed by many researchers worldwide to be strong and relevant. To respond to the question of whether internet can deliver the democratization message or not, a search into the background of alternative media could help. In general, alternative media can be print, Indymeida, video, Youtube and finally internet (Cottle 2003, p.53). The focus of this paper would be on internet as it is one of the most active forms of alternative media. It is fast, free and not hierarchal as the traditional media (Cottle 2003, p.53). However, censorship in many countries, such as Egypt and Iran, on content of the internet information can limit the freedom of expression (Cottle 2003, p.53). Freedom of expression of alternative media depends on the political system of each country (Cottle 2003, p.42). Alternative media in general and internet specifically is organized by unprofessional people to change wrong or unpleasant situations (Cottle 2003, p.42). Alternative media is always supported financially by donations, voluntary works and businessmen (Cottle 2003, p.53). This means alternative media is not supported by official organizations or governments which people mistrust (Cottle 2003, p.53). Blogs, Indymedia and Facebook are examples of alternative media mainly on the internet (Cottle 2003, p.53).

The issue of democratization and internet is crucial in general and especially in the Middle East where democracy is something new for its people (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth 2009, p.1). Some think internet is the perfect tool for achieving democracy while others disagree with this notion. After doing research, internet can convey democratization message but with limitations especially in the Middle East.

Some facts of internet use in the Middle East would help creating an overview of the possibility of achieving democratization in such environment. Iran has almost seven and a half million internet users (Worldwide Internet Usage, 2007); this is considered the highest number of internet usage with high rate of censorship in the Middle East (Worldwide Internet Usage, 2007). This explains how internet is effective enough in Iran to censor its use. According to a study conducted by the open Net Initiative which is a partnership among groups at four leading universities, Toronto, Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford, the censorship on internet in the Middle East has increased rapidly with more censorship of course (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Facebook , the most famous social networking site, is blocked in Syria for example (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Also, the United Arab Emirates blocks any sites dealing with Nazism or the Holocust (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Previous examples illustrate how the internet is heavily censored in the Middle East.

Democracy is hard to achieve in Iran and Egypt because of censorship. The case of Iran and Egypt would be addressed to examine how Iranian and Egyptian populations have faced difficulties to achieve democratization.

The internet in Iran was introduced in the 1990s to publish some stories which are banned in traditional media (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). This proves internet is something new to the Iranian community. Almost 75% of Iranians who participated in a study conducted on the population of the ministry of Jahad Keshavarzi own computers at home and 66% have access to internet (Chizari, 2009, p.1293). This shows internet has become a phenomenon and popular in Iran. Political repression has led the Iranians to find alternatives to express their opinion. Consequently, the internet in Iran has become this alternative for oppositional groups to the Iranian regime to express their opinions (Rahimi and Gheytanchi, 2008, p.46). Some oppositional groups have used internet to organize protests and other events (Rahimi and Gheytanchi, 2008, p.46). In my opinion, People in Iran have used internet because it is somehow free and easily accessed. However, the Iranian government has considered the internet a threat for its policy and power (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.46). Accordingly, the government has censored some sites of internet to control its content (Vesely 2004, p.25). Although the Iranian government has censored many websites, people surf the internet for more uncensored news which traditional media hide such as sex and other sensitive issues (Vesely 2004, p.25). This means censorship can only control people and impede democratization.

Iranian Activists have used weblogs and social networking to demand their rights (Vesely 2004, p.25). The two main activist organizations which use internet actively are women’s rights activists and the reformist Ulama (Clerics) (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.47). Previous examples demonstrate how Iranian people are trying to use internet to reach democracy. However, the Iranian government opposes such movement. For example, in 2004, the Iranian regime arrested the Iranian journalist, Sina Morallebi, for creating her own weblog www.rooznegar.com (Vesely 2004, p.25). This weblog is not accessible anymore because the government had blocked it (Vesely 2004, p.25). In my opinion, this weblog is obviously not accessible because the government blocked it for its opposition to the Iranian government (Vesely 2004, p.25). Morallebi’s weblog was only created to express the writer’s opinion about everything not to oppose the government (Vesely 2004, p.25). I think the example of Morallebi’s arrest is an example of a violation of human rights in Iran. As a result, democratization is hard to achieve where human rights are violated. To conclude, such weblogs are considered a threat for the Iranian authorities and then should be blocked which is something undemocratic.

The Iranian government has filtered some websites mainly western websites such as pornography ones (Vesely 2004, p.25). This is wrong, in my opinion, as authorities think this is a protection of their population. However, government is controlling not protecting people; I think instead of blocking such websites, people should be educated enough to recognize between wrong and right (Vesely 2004, p.25). People should decide what is good and bad not deciding on their behalf (Vesely 2004, p.25). Deciding on behalf of people would lead to a permanent dependence on the government in almost everything and this is mainly what happens in the majority of developing countries (Vesely 2004, p.25). Personally, any country needs to reach democracy, people should have the right to choose and decide as some developed countries do nowadays.

The most active group in Iran who uses internet to demand their rights is Iranian women rights group as mentioned before (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Internet is used by groups which cannot convey their opinion via traditional media (Cottle 2003, p.50). Iranian women’s movement use internet so as their voice would be heard by international organizations (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Iranian women used traditional media to reach their rights but it did not work that much (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). Also, internet is a good space for Iranian women to write about taboos and away from the government’s authority (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). This shows that Iranian women are trying to reach their rights by internet. Iranian women’s movement organized a demonstration by internet objecting inequality and 2005 election’s results (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Women’s movement asked for a demonstration using their website, feminist tribune, and published some photos about the event to attract people to participate (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). As a result, the feminist tribune website was blocked by the Iranian government (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). The police did not only block the website but took protestor’s mobiles as well in order not to publish images of using violence against protesters by the police (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.55). This proves three main points; the first point is internet is heavily censored in Iran. Second, Iran is not a democratic country which can let its people express their opinion freely. Finally, internet in Iran is considered a high threat for the conservative government in Iran (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Consequently, internet should be fought and censored. To conclude, Iranian women think internet is liberating as they can talk about taboos (Vesely 2004, p.25). However, women are using fake names to talk freely as they might be recognized with their real names and then be criticized by the society (Vesely 2004, p.25). This also illustrates that Iranian women are controlled by society and government (Vesely 2004, p.25).
Talking about Iran and the use of internet to achieve democratization can lead us to the second case study which is Egypt. Some facts about Egypt and democracy would help demonstrating the situation in Egypt. First, freedom of expression is limited in Egypt because of the emergency law since 1980s (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Almost 18,000 thousands of Egyptians have been arrested because of this law (Shapiro 2009, p.6). More than five people in Egypt are not allowed to gather to discuss political issues and criticize President Mubarak’s regime (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, people need a license to create a political party to discuss political issues. This illustrates that the Egyptians cannot express their point of view freely. In addition, newspapers are controlled by the Egyptian ministry of information (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This shows people cannot express their point of view using the newspaper or traditional media.

All these factors have led young people to find other alternatives to express their opinions. Social networking, Facebook, has become an active tool for young Egyptians to express their political point of view (Stack 2008 b, p.3). The main topics discussed in Facebook are freedom of expression, freedom for jailed activists and economic problems (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Facebook is also used to organize protests against the Egyptian government to demand some rights (Stack 2008 b, p.3). This is obviously a sign of democracy in a democratic country. However, in fact, people get arrested by the Egyptian police because of their Facebook activities (Stack 2008 b, p.3). For example, Ahmed Maher, one of Facebook activists, got arrested by the Egyptian authorities in 2008 for creating a Facebook group asking people to join a demonstration in Cairo (Stack 2008 b, p.3). The Egyptian authorities arrested him because they think the protest would encourage civil disobedience (Stack 2008 b, p.3). Accordingly, this might affect Egypt’s security (Stack 2008 b, p.3).
Actually, it’s not just a matter of arresting people which is something not democratic but also about torturing people during their arrest (Stack 2008 b, p.3). Maher was shackled and stripped by the Egyptian police (Stack 2008 a, p.7). Moreover, before his arrest, Maher received some threatening messages from the state security officers on Facebook such as “last time was easy, next time it will be harder, we only threatened to rape you, but next time we actually will” (Stack 2008 b, p.3). This quote shows how Egyptian activists on Facebook are under risk and might be punished if thinking of participating in a political activity. Moreover, activists feel they should keep their mouths shut in order not to be hurt and tortured (Stack 2008 b, p.5). In my opinion, it’s hard for Egypt as Iran to reach democracy in such environment where people are not free to express their opinion. Also, the 6th of April is a Facebook group which organized a protest to free the jailed journalists who were arrested by the police (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Members of this group are trying their best to achieve democracy (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, Almost 8 members of total of 70,000 members of 6th of April group were arrested (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This again demonstrates how internet activists in Egypt suffer to achieve democratization.

Another example of using internet to serve democracy in Egypt is Almahla strike (Huang 2008, p.5). Almahla strike was organized by the workers in al Mahala against the rise of prices (Huang 2008, p.5). Many people asked people to support and participate in this strike using the internet such as Facebook (Huang 2008, p.5). In my opinion, this is the right of people to demonstrate peacefully asking for a change. However, the Egyptian government thinks internet has become a dangerous source of disobedience by encouraging people to participate in demonstrations (Huang 2008, p.5). Accordingly, the Egyptian government should control the internet for the stability of the state (Huang 2008, p.5). I think this is the problem of most regimes in the Middle East in general and Arab countries specifically. Furthermore, such governments repress its population so people would always need government to save them and be the hero of the country (Altheide 2002, p. 42). This also applies to how governments deal with crises and how media promotes the idea of the” heroes” (Huang 2008, p.5). This can explain why some Arab and Middle East countries cannot achieve democracy (Huang 2008, p.5).

Those factors have led young people not to participate in the political life (Kahn and Kellner 2005) .Young people believe they cannot change any wrong situation. As a result, they do not participate in political life (Altheid 2002 and Atton 2003) .A study conducted by Alahram center has shown that almost 67% of young Egyptians are not registered to vote (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Moreover, 84% have never participated in any kind of political activity (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This study shows how the Egyptians are encouraged not to be engaged in political life to be away from troubles. Because some political activists are affected negatively by the state, Egyptians prefer not to participate in politics.

Concerning the use of internet for political purposes, a question here should be asked; why don’t young Egyptians create a Facebook group instead or joining a political party which has a license? (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Samer Shehata, an assistant professor in Georgetown University, has answered the question above by stating that the political parties are not effective so people do not trust anymore (Shapiro 2009, p.6). “The state of opposition in Egypt is so pathetic that existing parties have lost all credibility”, Shehata said. This quote has proved that it is useless to young Egyptians to join any political party for two reasons. First, people believe most political parties follow the state’s policy. Secondly, such parties are not going to change anything because they are powerless (Shapiro 2009, p.6). “They have been around for a long time and produced nothing”, Shehata added (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, 6 April Facebook group, for example, is unofficial but credible and people trust more than any political party (Shapiro 2009, p.6). In addition, this group might change something or encourage other people to demand their right of expressing their opinion (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This also shows how internet nowadays has become a successful tool for young Egyptians to express their opinion freely.

On the other hand, if Facebook activists have failed to raise their voice and achieve their aims, blogs have reached some levels of democratization (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Blogs in Egypt have become a good source for oppositional parties to depend on (Shapiro 2009, p.6). For example, Nora Younis, a pre worker in New York Time, posted in her blog stories and videos about the group sexual harassment against women in demonstrations in Egypt which government tried to ignore (Shapiro 2009, p.6). As a result, this attracted the attention of media locally and internationally about human rights in Egypt (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This indicates that blogs specifically have turned to be a source of information for other media such as TV (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This is also a sign of democratization in Egypt despite of all limitations (Shapiro 2009, p.6). In addition, Wael Abbas, one of the most famous bloggers in Egypt has created his website called Egyptian awareness to raise Egyptian’s awareness about their rights (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Abbas use internet because many young Egyptians nowadays have access to the internet as of its low price and availability (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Abbas believes young Egyptians might do something for Egypt by raising awareness (Shapiro 2009, p.6). It is worth mentioning that the Egyptian government has allowed the Egyptians to surf the internet due to the pressure of Bush’s administration for democracy (Shapiro 2009, p.6). this is an indication that internet is available in Egypt for political purposes. To sum up, Egypt, as many countries, is just not ready for democracy and should take it step by step. “If God created the world in six days, we cannot expect to change Egypt in just one”, one member of Facebook group said (Egypt releases jailed Facebook activist 2008). This quote is a good summary to Egypt’s case and democratization as time needed to achieve full democracy in Egypt.

In conclusion, Iran and Egypt are just examples of the Middle East countries facing difficulties achieving democracy. Both Egypt and Iran face problems regarding the use of internet. Iran and Egypt are just two examples of the Middle East countries which experience difficulties with democratization and internet. People use internet to express their political opinion because other media such as TV and radio might not allow oppositional points of view. Time is the only solution for such nations to achieve democracy. In my opinion, using internet as a tool to achieve democratization is the first step. Moreover, there is no obvious answer to the question I asked in the introduction of whether internet can deliver democratization message or not .However, as I mentioned previously, it is just a start for some nations like Iran and Egypt to then reach full democracy of public sphere. The topic of internet and democratization can be addressed in the future in another way by dealing with other case studies from developed countries, for example, where internet could successfully deliver democratization message. This can be a good comparison to study the experience developed countries of democratization and internet. Finally, to achieve democracy, it needs to be adopted not adapted as it is to be accepted in any society.













Bibliography References
Altheide, D. (2002), Creating Fear: News and the construction of crisis,
Atton, Chris, (2003) ’Organisation and production in alternative media’, in Simon Cottle (ed) Media Organization and Production, London: Sage pp 41-57.

Chizari, C.M. (2009), Investigation of the Extend of Information Technology Usage and Assessment of Its Capabilities in Agricultural System of Iran. Available from: http://0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=4&sid=01ff3b10-904d-43a7-89c0-622ed86ce8a5%40sessionmgr13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=39876835 [Accessed: December 18, 2009].
Cottle, S. (2003), Media organization and production.
Egypt releases jailed Facebook activist (2008), Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T8358263643&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T8358263646&cisb=22_T8358263645&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=244777&docNo=9 [Accessed: December 14, 2009].
Huang, L. (2008), A Tool Of Revolution the failure of a facebook protest in egypt common to new technologies that seem ready to change the world, but not yet . Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T8248050057&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T8248050060&cisb=22_T8248050059&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=5774&docNo=5 [Accessed: December 14, 2009].
Libérez Esraa et ses Camarades. Free Esraa (2008), Available from: http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=freedom+for+esraa+abdel+fatah&init=quick#/group.php?gid=16800526857&ref=search&sid=725420507.3393299282.1 [Accessed: January 4, 2010].
Middle East net censorship "increasing in scope and depth" (2009), BBC Worldwide Monitoring . Available from:, The American University in Cairo Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T8223038330&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T8223038333&cisb=22_T8223038332&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=10962&docNo=1 [Accessed: December 25, 2009].
Rahimi, B. & Gheytanchi, E.(2008), IRAN'S REFORMISTS AND ACTIVISTS: INTERNET EXPLOITER.
Shapiro, S.M. (2009), Can social networking turn disaffected young Egyptians into a force for democratic change?. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T8239540424&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T8239540430&cisb=22_T8239540429&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=6742&docNo=6 [Accessed: December 15, 2009].
Stack, L. (2008 a), Egypt detains Facebook activists again . Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T8243636446&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T8243636450&cisb=22_T8243636449&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=7945&docNo=3 [Accessed: December 21, 2009].
Stack, L. (2008 b), Politics on Facebook brings trouble for young Egyptian . Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T8295570636&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T8295570639&cisb=22_T8295570638&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=7945&docNo=7 [Accessed: December 16, 2009].
Vesely., M. (2004), www.irantopsites.com . Available from: The American Univeristy in Cairo, Web site: http://0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/ehost/detail?vid=11&hid=108&sid=c4e46164-0faa-4ed7-b179-15da223d58d7%40sessionmgr10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=14933780 [Accessed: December 13, 2009.
Worldwide Internet Usage (2007), Worldwide Internet Usage. PC magazine. Available from:, The American University in Cairo Web site: http://0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=111&sid=c62f1c01-a6fe-414a-befe-f1b71cbcffa3%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=23964150 [Accessed: December 20, 2009].