The Arab Spring, which has overturned the governments of several countries in North Africa and the Middle East, was in part fueled by social media. The availability of this technology provided disenfranchised citizens in these countries an outlet in which they could voice their opinions and organize demonstrations the despots in power could not stop. This movement was responsible for removing autocrats that have been in power for decades such as Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak. Although the government in Turkey is democratically elected, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has made his displeasure for Facebook and YouTube (News - Alert) known by saying he is considering banning the sites after the March election.
What drove Erdogan to this decision is a leaked tape in which a recording of he and his son appeared on the sites. After the leaked recordings went viral, mass demonstrations were held in which the crowed demanded his resignation.
According to Erdogan, these recordings were fabricated to look like one conversation, when in fact they were stringed together from several different conversations to make him sound corrupt.
During an interview with the Turkish broadcaster ATV, the Prime Minister said his country will take necessary actions to ensure they don't fall at the mercy of YouTube and Facebook (News - Alert) by taking the strongest steps possible.
Erdogan blames US-based Turkish Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen and his Hizmet movement for the recordings. He said during the same interview issuing a warrant for Gülen is not out of the question, as five more recordings appeared on YouTube last week. Gülen has denied any involvement on his part.
Although Facebook and Twitter (News - Alert) were given a lot of credit during the Arab Spring, it is very important to note it was courageous people who sacrificed their lives that were ultimately responsible for overthrowing the tyrannical rule of Gadhafi, Mubarak, and others.
The speed in which the activists were able to communicate and coordinate their efforts through Facebook and Twitter ultimately helped them, but it should not be wholly credited for making it possible.
The Middle East still has social media outlets, but the region is under more turmoil than ever as Syria continues to be mired in a never ending nightmare, while Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Tunisia are still grappling with very unstable governments.
Edited by Cassandra Tucker
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