Social Media as a Strategy for Protest Movements in an Era of Government Control

Abstract

In a new era of surveillance and control, governments have expanded their digital knowledge and strategies to prevent and disband social movements and demonstrations. In light of the resurgence of several protests worldwide, have new technological strategies been employed by protest leaders to counteract government efforts? Have digital tools adapted to government control? This study analyzed how social media has adapted in the face of repression in non-Western protest movements through the analysis of digital strategies evoked by protest leaders to organize demonstrations, mobilize people and persuade the undecided. Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement and the resurgence of protest in the territory in 2019-2020, and Sudan’s 2011-2013 protests and the subsequent 2018-2019 Intifada were chosen as case studies. A thematic analysis approach illustrated the different strategies implemented by both activists and governments and the ways in which social media evolved throughout the protest movements. This highlighted the various ways tools adapted to best facilitate the organization, mobilization and persuasion efforts to counter-act government repression and digital intervention. The technological evolution of social media has created an unprecedented level of transparency that allows for injustices actioned by governments to be shared on an international platform. This has ultimately led to a transfer of power to the people in times of social unrest and protest.