1. Mapping the Arabic Blogosphere: Politics, Culture, and Dissent presentation for US Institute for Peace June 17, 2009 John Palfrey Harvard University John Kelly Morningside Analytics Rob Faris Harvard University Harvard University Bruce Etling
3. Methods and Analysis: Core data: 35,000 Arabic language web logs meeting base criteria -determined by automated text analysis to be Arabic language -exclude blogspam, poorly connected blogs -exclude social network hybrids, platform-specific networks -except those that connect to central blogosphere Found no clear boundary with English, French! So… -identified English and French crossover blogs (approx 4,000) Social Network Mapping: selected 6,451 most connected, large network core structural clustering, attentive clustering, visualization Computer Analysis: text analysis, word and term frequencies metadata Human Coding: over 4000 blogs, 2 scripts, 10 Arabic speaking researchers Basic demographics Topics Qualitative descriptions
63. Implications Contact theory and bridge bloggers—The more contact (including virtual?) that groups have with one another, the greater their level of understanding and the lower the chances of conflict. Bridge bloggers are important interpreters of their home countries’ politics and cultures, perhaps allowing us to get beyond cartoonish views of one another, appreciate the complexity of views in the Arabic blogosphere. Problem: ‘mirror blogging’ Challenge: ‘bridge bloggers’ - understand who they are, levels of independence, and authenticity, just like traditional media. - be conscience of risks of elevating profile of bloggers who might then become the targets for state repression. - might too much attention hinder local development?
64.
65. Mapping the Arabic Blogosphere: Politics, Culture, and Dissent presentation for US Institute for Peace June 17, 2009 John Palfrey Harvard University John Kelly Morningside Analytics Rob Faris Harvard University Harvard University Bruce Etling