Revolution 2.0?The Power of Social Media andthe Fight for Internet Freedom

Philip A. Thompsen, Ph.D.March 23, 2011

Web 2.0Revolution 2.0?

Wael Ghonim

Wolf Blitzer, CNN Wael Ghonim

First Tunisia, Now Egypt, what’s next?

Ask Facebook.

April 6

2008

Ahmed Maher used social media to organize a general strike in Egypt. The “6th of April Youth Movement” became one of Egypt’s most popular Facebook groups.

June 6

2010

Egyptian businessman Khaled Said died from a brutal beating by police in Alexandria.

Protests spread like wildfire on social networks, including a Facebook page started by Wael Ghonim.

January 27

2011

Egyptian authorities shut down the Internet, further fueling unrest.Just 15 days later, on February 11, Hosni Mubarak steps down.

An Internet Kill Switch

Could it happen here?

February 21

2011

Less than a month after the Egyptian Internet shut down, there were reports of pro-union websites being blocked in Wisconsin.

opennet.net

The internet may seem like it is free from censorship and control in this country.

Not quite.

March 15

2011

A Congressional committee voted along party lines to block the Federal Communications Commission from enforcing “Net Neutrality” policies.A vote by the full House is expected in April.

Free market?

Free speech?

Will you join the fightfor internet freedom?

Egypt and the rest of the worldwill be watching us.