Tunisia's "Jasmine Revolution" and the internet: Xeni on The Madeleine Brand Show

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[ LISTEN: Direct MP3 link, and embedded audio. ]


On today's episode of the Southern California Public Radio program The Madeleine Brand Show, I joined host Madeleine Brand for a discussion of the role technology and social media played in the recent political upheaval in Tunisia.

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Tunisia's interim leaders announced a new government today after a surge of violent demonstrations toppled autocratic president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Many reporters and bloggers (and now, uh, Muammar Qadaffi) have been quick to credit Wikileaks, Twitter, and Facebook with fomenting unrest in the country. But is it accurate to describe what is unfolding in Tunisia as "a Twitter revolution"?

Some related reading today:

Tunisia: That 'WikiLeaks Revolution' meme (CSM)

The brutal truth about Tunisia (The Independent)

Qaddafi Sees WikiLeaks Plot in Tunisia (NY Times / The Lede)

Tunisia: Fears of Insecurity Overshadow the Joys of Freedom

Arab World: Where is Ben Ali Headed to?

(Global Voices)

Tunisia: How the US got it wrong
(Al Jazeera / opinion)


Tunisia invades, censors Facebook, other accounts
(CPJ)


Wikileaks – US embassy cables: Tunisia – a US foreign policy conundrum
(Guardian)


The 2010-2011 Tunisian protests
(Wikipedia)


First thoughts on Tunisia and the role of the Internet
(Foreign Policy)

(PHOTO at top of post: Students hold placards and flowers during a sit-in protest in Beirut January 17, 2011, organized by Lebanese activists Tunisians living in Lebanon to show solidarity and support for the people in Tunisia. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi)