An exploration of how social media has transformed the political landscape, social movements and revolutions.
The digital world has transformed citizen engagement and involvement in politics, movements and revolutions. Notable revolutions fueled by social media include the First and Second Arab Spring, The Libyan Revolution of Dignity, Occupy Wall Street in the USA, and most recently, the Quota Reform Movement leading to the Long March to Dhaka resulting in the resignation of the authoritarian government of Bangladesh. Social media, and the broader digital world, once merely perceived as digital spaces for socialisation and entertainment, have now emerged as crucial arenas for activism, reforms, and revolutions.
Quicker, Wider Reach
Social media has completely transformed the revolutions of the current age by aiding in mobilisation. Before the digital age, the organisation of protests and rallies demanded significant effort and resources, often relying on word of mouth or leaflets. On the other hand, the wide and convenient access to social media has redefined how a cause for a political movement is spread.
Common social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have emerged as some of the most popular spaces through which organisers reach hundreds of thousands of people online. With widespread access to these platforms, organisers can create events and call upon a larger group of people to join on the streets, allowing movements to gain momentum. The Long March to Dhaka, for instance, was rescheduled on a day’s notice moving it a day ahead from 6 to 5 August 2024. People from all over the country were called upon to march to the capital to support the one-point demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister. This quick change of plans, alongside providing logistical support to those travelling from outside of the capital, was made possible by social media platforms’ capability to reach people far and wide and their provision of real-time updates.
Voicing the Unheard
A crucial role social media has played in aiding political movements is amplifying the voices of those who may otherwise go unheard. Social media has successfully democratised the public sphere by allowing the silenced to voice their opinions, and this is especially true in cases where traditional media outlets are restricted, suppressed, or censored. With social media, citizens of a nation are no longer exposed to only the narratives specially curated by those in power. Digital spaces have provided a voice for those separated by both distance and political beliefs, and this voice emerges in the form of ordinary citizens being able to share not just opinions, but also multimedia texts that allow for more elaborate stories to be established.
Dissemination of Information
During times of political unrest, it becomes crucial for the public to have reliable facts. This might be complicated for national media outlets as they may have to partake in sharing state-controlled narratives in fear of repercussions from the government. In contrast, social media platforms like Facebook have fewer obligations to submit to the will of those in power, making them the ideal space for users to share information. This characteristic of social media has also proven useful in exchanging information during protests in real-time, as protesters are able to coordinate safe passages, find medical assistance nearby, and avoid potential dangers posed by law enforcement.
While these platforms’ wider reach and accessibility make it an indispensable tool to protesters, they can also prove to be a weapon against them. Spread of misinformation, state-run propaganda, and unverified news, can be exploited to disrupt movements.
The wide and convenient access to social media has redefined how a cause for a political movement is spread.
Raising Global Awareness
Social media has now made it possible for a global audience to bear witness to political movements within a country. Revolutions are no longer bound by national borders and isolated events. Thanks to the digital era, news of movements transcends national borders, and this can prove essential in garnering global solidarity with a cause. On several occasions, global awareness regarding a movement that may be confined within a country has resulted in global organisations getting involved and standing in solidarity with protesters, often causing those in power to face international pressure to step back.
The #MeToo movement is a noteworthy example. The campaign originated in the USA but quickly transcended borders and brought about conversations regarding sexual harassment globally thanks to social media. Due to being connected by major social media platforms, survivors from across the globe were able to participate in the movement, share their stories, and fight for systemic change. Such global solidarity has, on many occasions, resulted in reforms like policy changes and increased awareness.
Bangladeshi Students’ Protests of July 2024
What started as peaceful protests for a reformed quota system in civil service jobs in Bangladesh ultimately transpired into the demand for the resignation of the now-former Prime Minister.
Using social media, ordinary citizens of the country as well as the international community bore witness to the victories and tragedies of the movement, as hashtags like #AllEyesOnBangladesh and videos of Abu Sayeed and Mugdho went viral on social media. Crucial protest information like safe routes, details of medical assistance teams, and messages checking up on friends were exchanged. Those who could not physically participate in the protests joined the movement by verifying and spreading news of the movement and ensuring Bangladesh received global attention online. The past month, Bangladesh’s social media bore witness to the gruesome movement that ended in many innocent lives lost and the fall of an authoritarian regime.
Compared to the likes of ‘Bangladesh Betar Kendro’ during Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971, many have stressed the power of social media in such movements. Social media has equipped the unheard with a renewed and much stronger voice, one that can be heard all across the globe. The digital era has completely revolutionised the way we do revolutions and has helped bring about necessary social changes. As time goes on, it will be amusing to witness how much digitisation continues to shape political movements and other aspects of our lives.
Photograph: Collected
