The recent uprisings in the Middle East, the latest of which appears to be bringing change to the people of Libya after four decades of leadership under strongman Muammar Gadhafi, have been a sight to see.
Not only are people worldwide seeing history unveil itself before their eyes on television and in newspapers and magazines, but also on the Internet. Whether it is in their homes, cafes, workplaces or other venues, millions and millions worldwide have used the Internet, specifically social networking, to see the changes in Egypt, Yemen and now Libya.
As of Monday (Aug. 22), Libyan rebels had still not fully gained control of Tripoli, but signs indicated they were moving closer hour by the hour.
While traditional modes of communication like television news were trying to report the goings-on on the hour, a less traditional but equally effective means of spreading the word was reaching countless individuals around the world.
Social networking sites like Twitter were quickly reporting updates from Libya via both reporters and ordinary Libyans.
With the introduction of rebel forces into Tripoli, reports are that online access was being restored to many residents who were without it over the last five months.
According to one tweet: “Welcome to all our brothers & sisters from inside Tripoli on Twitter… Internet returns to them first time in a long time! #Feb17 #Libya.”
The message on Twitter came from the National Front for the Salvation of Libya, an opposition group that has long been opposed to the regime of Gadhafi.
Internet service was, indeed, returning Aug. 22 to Tripoli and other areas of the country.
CNN reporter Matthew Chance also took to Twitter, tweeting from the Rixos Hotel where ongoing fighting continued. “On bright side, am with excellent group of journalists at #Rixos. We are feeling our way around corridors with candles. No power.”
In another tweet, Chance stated, “It’s no fun being stuck in one of #Gadhafi‘s few remaining strongholds. #Rixos gunmen now refusing to let us leave.”
These are but a few of the countless messages that are eking out of the country in Libya’s historic times. If it were not for social networking sites like Twitter, we would not have heard these messages.
While the big question remains what and exactly who will replace Gadhafi once he is gone for good, the power of the Internet is an amazing thing.
In the past, the impending news from the majority of wars and uprisings came to us over time via other modes of communication, sometimes taking hours or even days to reach their targets.
With the Internet accessible in this day and age to millions and millions worldwide, we get the information in mere seconds.
Lindsey Hilsum, an international editor for Britain’s Channel 4, tweeted “Our day in #tripoli was amazing. Came under fire, but saw some of the happiest people ever. Watch on www.channel4.com/news.”
Yes, amazing it is, thanks in no small part to the age of social networking.
Photo credit: upstreamonline.com
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Twitter: money_whisper
Yeah right… The media is spreading false words again. People in Libya love their leader. This war was started only for the oil they have. We read only what some people want us to read. The people in Libya are ready to die for their president and they say that it is a riot…It is only a lie and these things happen all over the world were some people have interests.
It is indeed worth celebrating what social networking has brought to the world: availabilty of live feedback. Hope through it we could get real news of what’s happening, not just in Libya but across other countries as well and not what only a select number of people want the rest of the world to see.
Twitter: davelucas
Problem is, Karen, when these “Oil Wars” happen, (Iraq comes to mind immediately), nobody wins except for the Big oil companies. (I remember back when Saddam fell people were rejoicing in the US now that “gas will be under $2 a gallon – fooled again!)
Blog On!
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Twitter: Newstouse
It is fascinating reading some of the tweets coming out of Libya, just as we did when Egypt’s government was being toppled. Thanks to the Internet and the courage of many everyday citizens, people worldwide are being kept up to date around the clock.
Libya situation is only due to America and America wants to grab all the resources of Libya in their hands so that they can use them according to their needs. I am against this war.
It is amazing to see where we have come with social media etc.
But we should not forget that every advancement we make the governments will probably be a step ahead of us, with all their resources and power.
There have been many cases of people’s tweets getting blocked because of censoring. And I am not talking about people cursing in their tweets. Just things that the government apparently doesn’t want spread.
If we are naiief enough to believe that social media is really free and uncontrolled then we will believe that the reality that the governments try to make us believe are true.
We should not be paranoid, but we should stay realistic.
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