Social media in the Arab world : communication and public opinion in the Gulf states / edited by Barrie Gunter, Mokhtar Elareshi, Khalid Al-Jaber.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 239-257) and index.

Half Title; Endorsment; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; List of Tables; About the Contributors; Note on Sources, Citations and Bibliography; Acknowledgements; 1 The Significance of Social Media in the Arab World; Digital Expansion in the Arab World; The Growth of Social Media; The Applications of Social Media; New Media and the Spread of Unrest; Varied Pace of Change across the Region; The Book; Notes; 2 The Role of Social Media as a Decisive Actor in Saudi Arabia; Pro-Democracy Protests in Saudi Arabia: Defining the 'Arab Street'; Neo-Patrimonial System in Saudi Arabia The Role of Social Media in Saudi ArabiaBridging the Gap: Social Theory of International Politics; Conclusion; Notes; 3 Arab Social Media: From Revolutionary Euphoria to Cyber Realism; Defining Social Media's Role; Medium is the Message; Virtual versus Real Interaction; Change in Media Grammar; Political Economy of Social Media; Technological Evolution; State Control of Social Media; Ineffective Self-regulation; Social Media after the Arab Uprising; Conclusion; Notes; 4 Social Media and Unethical P2P Diplomacy in the Bahrain Uprising; Towards Ethical P2P Diplomacy Ethical Diplomacy versus Public Diplomacy and PRSocial Media Awards; The Twelve-Point Flag; #UniteBH; #UniF1ed; Celebrities; Conclusion; Notes; 5 Mobile Phone and Internet Usage in the GCC Region: University Students' Perspectives; Background; Mobile Phones and Media Reception; Mobile Phone Use in the Arab World; Methodology; Findings; General news interest; Mobile phone usage; Mobile local news consumption; Relationships between mobile phone use and online activities; Local community interest and engagement; Discussion and Conclusion; Notes 6 Social Media Usage and the Changing Context in the United Arab EmiratesLiterature Review; Methodology; Findings; Discussion; Conclusion; Notes; 7 Women and Online Political Participation in Kuwait; Literature Review; Kuwait; Women and Politics; Internet and Political Participation; Online Anonymity and Empowerment; Methodology; Women's Media Consumption Habits; Political Characteristics of Kuwaiti Women; Political Participation; Key Prediction Factors for Political Participation; Discussion; Conclusion; Notes; 8 The New Media as Alternative Medium in the GCC Region; Literature Review New Media Sources in GCC CountriesMethodology; Questionnaire; Results; Media usage; Perceptions of news media; Perceptions of reliability of news sources; Discussion; Conclusion; Notes; 9 Social Media, Surveillance, and Spying in the Bahrain Uprising; The Growth of Web Activism and Control in Bahrain; Surveillance and Sousveillance; Social Media, Surveillance and Counter- Revolutionary Vigilante Sousveillance; Government spying; Trolling; Name and shame; 'Passive' observation and offline factors; The 'unknown'; Propaganda and Disinformation; The Surveillance and Sousveillance State

Following the Arab Spring, the use of social media has become instrumental in organising activist movements and spreading political dissent in the Middle East. New online behaviours have transformed traditional communication channels, enabling young people of all backgrounds to feel politically empowered. But now that spring has turned to winter, what are the long-term implications of internet activism in the region? Social Media in the Arab World provides a unique insight into the role of online communications as a force for change in the Gulf States. Featuring examples as diverse as neo-patrimonial politics in Saudi Arabia and the ways an online presence affects the status of women in Kuwait, the chapters examine shifts in the political, social and religious identities of citizens as a result of increased digital activism. With contributions from a variety of inter-disciplinary experts, this wide-ranging study examines the consequences of changing power dynamics brought about by popular social media. In doing so, this book offers an original perspective on the long-term implications of internet usage in the Arab world and is essential reading for students and researchers working across the region.