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Social Media: A New Weapon
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Daniel Levy
on 11 December 2012
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Transcript of Social Media: A New Weapon
In many parts of the world, such as the Middle East and America, communication
technologies are being used to shape the worlds views on certain political aspects
or situations. For example in 2011, the world “watched as revolutionary fervor
swept the Middle East, from Tunisia, to Egypt, to Syria and beyond.” There is no
doubt that Social Media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and more, take a
position in defining the worlds views on military events. Many people use these sites
to show the world what is happening or perhaps to manipulate others opinions like
propaganda. In some ways it is like each side is trying to show the world of what “is
actually happening.” Today, such media sites are being used to “explain” the
situation between Israel and Hamas. Hamas is an Islamist organization that governs
the Gaza Strip. They also have a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Since June 2007 Hamas has governed the Gaza portion of the Palestinian Territories
after it won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Parliament in the January 2006
Palestinian parliamentary elections and then defeated the Fatah political
organization in a series of violent clashes. Israel, the United States, Canada, the
European Union, and Japan classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, while Arab
nations, Iran, Russia, and Turkey do not. There is no doubt that social media plays a
big role in our lives today. Millions of people log on to various sites every day to
receive new information about our friends, and the world. In many cases the opinion
of others can make our emotions, opinions, and behaviors change to something
else. This is very similar in the world of Social Media. Social Media is being used by
almost half the people in the world in many different ways. It is very easy for false
ideas, accusations or statements to spread around easily and to change people’s
preconceived notions on certain things. Introduction Social Media: A New Kind of
Weapon In their most recent conflict, "Pillar of Defense," Israel and Hamas proved
Social Media to be a new kind of weapon, one that can change people's beliefs and
preconceived notions. Both sides constantly posted news, pictures, videos and
opinions on the condition of the battle on the internet. Both sides provided different
perspectives of the conflict in many different ways with the use of Social Media.
Both sides also had official websites to show the world what was happening--Israel's
website is http://www.idfblog.com/ , and Hamas' website is
http://www.hamasinfo.net/. This is a map of Gaza, the Gaza Strip is a small strip of
land on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea that borders Egypt on the
southwest and Israel on the east and north. It is 139 square miles long, and has
population of about 1.6 million people. (Side-Note) VS. Both Hamas and The Isreali
Defence Force constantly posted news in their websites, Facebook Groups, Twitter,
YouTube, Blogs, and many more. Not only did this create a cyber war, but it became
a method of letting the world know what was happening form both points of view.
For example, on Twitter, the Israeli Defense Force (@IDFSpokesperson) said, “During
Operation Pillar of Defense, the IDF has called off airstrikes when civilians were
spotted near a target.” And on Hamas' Twitter (@AlqassamBrigade) they said, "191
killed, 1942 injured in November." This shows how both sides are able to use Social
Media to their advantage in order to gain more support from the world. Notice how
Israel has a site specifically designed to show all the lies and propaganda
techniques they believe Hamas uses to show the world what is "actually"
happening. According to Forbes, an American business journal magazine, "both
Israel and Hamas have essentially live tweeted the confrontation from its beginning,
mixing military updates with threats, YouTube videos, graphic images and made-forTwitter graphics."
Take a look at this video. Sources Used:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkantrowitz/2012/11/18/israel-and-hamas-socialmedia-battle-goes-from-groundbreaking-to-bizarre/ Another person that helped
explain this "cyber-war" is Jeff Jarvis, director of the interactive journalism program
at the City University of New York Journalism school. He said in a phone interview
that while he had not quite figured out what gives this confrontation such an odd
feel, "the aggressive, official use of social media made may be responsible." Jarvis
also pointed out that social media has been used in conflicts before– notably in the
Arab Spring—but that governments perhaps have not been as involved. Perhaps this
is the first time we really see how Social Media has direct impacts on governments
and militaries around the world. It is something we have to look for in the next
couple of years. This is a video of Russia Today (TV Network) that shows how both
Israel and Hamas used Social Media as an awareness tool during their conflict. It
also helps explain how a "cyber-war" was created and how it progressed with the
conflict. Conclusion (So What?)
As a result of the internet and Social Media, wars, battles, and conflicts will change
they way they are presented to the people. Not only did we see this happen
between Israel and Hamas, but we will see it happen in many other conflicts and
situations around the world. Social Media has become a powerful weapon that
allows people to share information and reach thousands quickly. It is our
responsibility to know how to distinguish the truth from lies, as much of what is on
the internet is just the opinion of others and not facts. Sometimes we must use our
voice and power, through Social Media, to stand up for what we believe for and take
a stance. Remember that anything you say can, and will influence the opinion of
others. Notice how Hamas uses Twitter as a way to show the world what they think
is actually happening in the conflict. In a way they want the world to think that
Israel is killing and injuring Palestinian civilians. "Israel Brings Warfare to Social
Media, Anonymous Responds." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
"The Worldâs First Social Media War: Israel v. Hamas." Washingtons Blog.
WashingtonsBlog, 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
No description
by
Daniel Levy
on 11 December 2012
72Tweet
Comments (0)
Please log in to add your comment.
Report abuse
Transcript of Social Media: A New Weapon
In many parts of the world, such as the Middle East and America, communication
technologies are being used to shape the worlds views on certain political aspects
or situations. For example in 2011, the world “watched as revolutionary fervor
swept the Middle East, from Tunisia, to Egypt, to Syria and beyond.” There is no
doubt that Social Media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and more, take a
position in defining the worlds views on military events. Many people use these sites
to show the world what is happening or perhaps to manipulate others opinions like
propaganda. In some ways it is like each side is trying to show the world of what “is
actually happening.” Today, such media sites are being used to “explain” the
situation between Israel and Hamas. Hamas is an Islamist organization that governs
the Gaza Strip. They also have a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Since June 2007 Hamas has governed the Gaza portion of the Palestinian Territories
after it won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Parliament in the January 2006
Palestinian parliamentary elections and then defeated the Fatah political
organization in a series of violent clashes. Israel, the United States, Canada, the
European Union, and Japan classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, while Arab
nations, Iran, Russia, and Turkey do not. There is no doubt that social media plays a
big role in our lives today. Millions of people log on to various sites every day to
receive new information about our friends, and the world. In many cases the opinion
of others can make our emotions, opinions, and behaviors change to something
else. This is very similar in the world of Social Media. Social Media is being used by
almost half the people in the world in many different ways. It is very easy for false
ideas, accusations or statements to spread around easily and to change people’s
preconceived notions on certain things. Introduction Social Media: A New Kind of
Weapon In their most recent conflict, "Pillar of Defense," Israel and Hamas proved
Social Media to be a new kind of weapon, one that can change people's beliefs and
preconceived notions. Both sides constantly posted news, pictures, videos and
opinions on the condition of the battle on the internet. Both sides provided different
perspectives of the conflict in many different ways with the use of Social Media.
Both sides also had official websites to show the world what was happening--Israel's
website is http://www.idfblog.com/ , and Hamas' website is
http://www.hamasinfo.net/. This is a map of Gaza, the Gaza Strip is a small strip of
land on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea that borders Egypt on the
southwest and Israel on the east and north. It is 139 square miles long, and has
population of about 1.6 million people. (Side-Note) VS. Both Hamas and The Isreali
Defence Force constantly posted news in their websites, Facebook Groups, Twitter,
YouTube, Blogs, and many more. Not only did this create a cyber war, but it became
a method of letting the world know what was happening form both points of view.
For example, on Twitter, the Israeli Defense Force (@IDFSpokesperson) said, “During
Operation Pillar of Defense, the IDF has called off airstrikes when civilians were
spotted near a target.” And on Hamas' Twitter (@AlqassamBrigade) they said, "191
killed, 1942 injured in November." This shows how both sides are able to use Social
Media to their advantage in order to gain more support from the world. Notice how
Israel has a site specifically designed to show all the lies and propaganda
techniques they believe Hamas uses to show the world what is "actually"
happening. According to Forbes, an American business journal magazine, "both
Israel and Hamas have essentially live tweeted the confrontation from its beginning,
mixing military updates with threats, YouTube videos, graphic images and made-forTwitter graphics."
Take a look at this video. Sources Used:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkantrowitz/2012/11/18/israel-and-hamas-socialmedia-battle-goes-from-groundbreaking-to-bizarre/ Another person that helped
explain this "cyber-war" is Jeff Jarvis, director of the interactive journalism program
at the City University of New York Journalism school. He said in a phone interview
that while he had not quite figured out what gives this confrontation such an odd
feel, "the aggressive, official use of social media made may be responsible." Jarvis
also pointed out that social media has been used in conflicts before– notably in the
Arab Spring—but that governments perhaps have not been as involved. Perhaps this
is the first time we really see how Social Media has direct impacts on governments
and militaries around the world. It is something we have to look for in the next
couple of years. This is a video of Russia Today (TV Network) that shows how both
Israel and Hamas used Social Media as an awareness tool during their conflict. It
also helps explain how a "cyber-war" was created and how it progressed with the
conflict. Conclusion (So What?)
As a result of the internet and Social Media, wars, battles, and conflicts will change
they way they are presented to the people. Not only did we see this happen
between Israel and Hamas, but we will see it happen in many other conflicts and
situations around the world. Social Media has become a powerful weapon that
allows people to share information and reach thousands quickly. It is our
responsibility to know how to distinguish the truth from lies, as much of what is on
the internet is just the opinion of others and not facts. Sometimes we must use our
voice and power, through Social Media, to stand up for what we believe for and take
a stance. Remember that anything you say can, and will influence the opinion of
others. Notice how Hamas uses Twitter as a way to show the world what they think
is actually happening in the conflict. In a way they want the world to think that
Israel is killing and injuring Palestinian civilians. "Israel Brings Warfare to Social
Media, Anonymous Responds." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
"The Worldâs First Social Media War: Israel v. Hamas." Washingtons Blog.
WashingtonsBlog, 21 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
