Abstract
The utilisation of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in Egypt has irrevocably changed the nature of the traditional Egyptian public sphere. One can see the Egyptian online society as a multiplicity of networks. These networks have developed, transformed and expanded over time, operating across all areas of life. Nonetheless, in essence they are sociopolitical and cultural in origin. This trend changed the way audiences consumed news, with traditional media – especially independent and opposition – started to utilise ICTs to access online information to develop their media content to escape government control. Several media organisations also started to expand their presence online so that, as well as providing news content, they also provided them with a “space” to interact amongst themselves and with media organisations. Audiences started to provide detailed descriptions of Egyptian street politics, posting multimedia material, generating public interest and reinforcing citizen power hence democratic capacity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 33-56 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | Social Semiotics |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 1 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Arab Spring
- Egyptian media
- Egyptian revolution
- interactivity
- network society
- newspaper practice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cultural Studies
- Communication
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language