Tweeting the Revolution: An Analysis of Syrian Social Media

Since 2011, Syria has been in a state of turmoil with unprecedented visibility. For the first time in human history, anyone with an internet connection can track events in Syria as they unfold through firsthand accounts shared... [ view full abstract ]

Since 2011, Syria has been in a state of turmoil with unprecedented visibility. For the first time in human history, anyone with an internet connection can track events in Syria as they unfold through firsthand accounts shared on social media. Social media have been a powerful player in this conflict from its beginning, and have both reflected and shaped the realities of Syrian social and political life. This presentation will seek to understand how and why social media in Syria have changed since the beginning of the conflict.Two distinct phases of social media use emerge: local-level social mobilization and international propaganda. Both have been driven by major shifts taking place in the conflict itself, such as the escalation of non-violent civil dissent into a full-blown civil war, and the rise of the Islamic State and its use of social media. Research for this project has included analysis of a wide variety of literature on insurgency, social mobilization, and media, as well as both qualitative and quantitative analyses of first-hand Syrian social media sources in both Arabic and English. The end result of this entire project will be a set of tactics for a more nuanced reading of Syrian social media.