Question

Read the excerpt from "The Role of Social Media in the Arab Uprisings" by Heather Brown, Emily Guskin, and Amy Mitchell.

Almost immediately after the Arab uprisings began, there was debate over the role and influence of social media in the ouster of Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the imminent overthrow of [Egyptian president Hosni] Mubarak . In covering what some deemed the Face book or T w i t t e r revolutions, the media focused heavily on young protesters mobilizing in the streets in political opposition, smartphones in hand. And since then, the violent and sectarian unrest in Syria has brought increased attention to the role of citizen journalism.

Social media indeed played a part in the Arab uprisings. Networks formed online were crucial in organizing a core group of activists, specifically in Egypt. Civil society leaders in Arab countries emphasized the role of "the internet, mobile phones, and social media" in the protests. Additionally, digital media has been used by Arabs to exercise freedom of speech and as a space for civic engagement.

Now, research is emerging that reexamines in a more detailed way the role that social media played in the Arab uprisings.

What is the claim in this excerpt?

During the Arab uprisings, media outlets focused on young protesters, who were unimportant in the struggle.
Media descriptions of the Arab uprisings related to Face book or T w i t t e r diminished interest in citizen journalism.
Social media affected the Arab Spring, but its impact was not felt as strongly in Egypt as in other countries.
Social media affected the Arab Spring, but its impact was not what the news media originally thought it was.

Answer 1

D

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

D) Social media affected the Arab Spring, but its impact was not what the news media originally thought it was.

Step-by-step explanation:

"Now, research is emerging that reexamines in a more detailed way the role that social media played in the Arab uprisings."