Tweeting to Freedom - by William Willis & Anthony Fellow (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book provides an insightful and comprehensive look at the issues regarding the use of the Internet and social media by activists in more than 30 countries--and how many governments in these countries are trying to blunt these efforts to promote freedom.
The innovators who created social media might never have imagined the possibility: that activists living in countries where oppressive conditions are the norm would use social media to call for changes to bring greater freedom, opportunity, and justice to the masses. The attributes of social media that make it so powerful for casual socializing--the ability to connect with nearly limitless numbers of like-minded individuals instantaneously--enables political activists to recruit, communicate, and organize like never before.

This book examines three aspects of the use of social media for political activism: the degrees of media freedom practiced in countries around the world; the methods by which governments attempt to block access to information; and the various ways in which activists use the media--especially social media--to advance their cause of greater freedoms. Readers will learn how these political uprisings came from the grassroots efforts of oppressed and unhappy citizens desperate to make better lives for themselves and others like them--and how the digital age is allowing them to protest and call attention to their plights in unprecedented ways.

• Provides an interdisciplinary exploration of how the Internet and social media can be used to spotlight oppression and bring about needed change
• Explains how some governments are working to block access to unauthorized Internet sites to stop activists' efforts
• Presents profiles of some of the leading activists around the world and their use of the media to get their messages out
• Offers material useful for students studying geography, world cultures, social studies, journalism, sociology, or political science

Book Synopsis

This book provides an insightful and comprehensive look at the issues regarding the use of the Internet and social media by activists in more than 30 countries--and how many governments in these countries are trying to blunt these efforts to promote freedom.

The innovators who created social media might never have imagined the possibility: that activists living in countries where oppressive conditions are the norm would use social media to call for changes to bring greater freedom, opportunity, and justice to the masses. The attributes of social media that make it so powerful for casual socializing--the ability to connect with nearly limitless numbers of like-minded individuals instantaneously--enables political activists to recruit, communicate, and organize like never before.

This book examines three aspects of the use of social media for political activism: the degrees of media freedom practiced in countries around the world; the methods by which governments attempt to block access to information; and the various ways in which activists use the media--especially social media--to advance their cause of greater freedoms. Readers will learn how these political uprisings came from the grassroots efforts of oppressed and unhappy citizens desperate to make better lives for themselves and others like them--and how the digital age is allowing them to protest and call attention to their plights in unprecedented ways.

Review Quotes

"Thoroughly indexed, this resource offers valuable bibliography for use by public and college library patrons, including journalists." --Booklist

"A variety of libraries should find this source of use to their readers. Although academic libraries may be the most interested, others should consider it as well." --ARBAonline

"The study provides readers with an excellent overview of the state of internet and social media activism and serves as a convenient starting point for further study. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All libraries. All levels." --Choice

About the Author

Jim Willis, PhD, is professor of journalism at Azusa Pacific University as well as a writer and freelance journalist.

Anthony R. (Tony) Fellow, PhD, is professor of communications at California State University at Fullerton, is a former Fulbright fellow, and has authored numerous articles and books.