On the "Role of the New Media in the Arab Spring"

As the revolutionary tensions rise, one cannot ignore the vital role of the new media and the tools it presents society. These tools are seen as either tools of repression or tools for democratic openness. I for one see the new media as a means of democratic openness, after all it is a free world, and we should be free to express whatever we want. Social websites such as facebook and twitter have stretched the lengths of this freedom, supporting the rise of revolutions in the arab world. They have allowed the people to tell stories of oppression and injustice happening in the arab countries where dictators have seized control over the conventional media. But the new media isnt the spark that lit the fire of the arab revolutions, but more of the kindling that helped the fire grow. So one should not exaggerate the role of the social media because the rebellion wasnt caused by the media, but rather it was a result of poverty and oppression.