January 25: (Not) a Facebook revolution

Egyptian activists reveal social networking had a marginal role in the people’s uprising, and real change is expected to take time.

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Egyptian social networkersand leading activists in the January Revolution that overthrew Hosni Mubarak Ramy Raoof (L) and Ahmed Maher (R) at the Open Hands Initiative GlobalPost Seminar on 'Covering a Revolution' in Cairo, October 2011. (Gary Knight/GlobalPost)

Minutes before April 6th movement founder Ahmed Maher joined a panel to discuss the role internet social networking played — and did not play — in the Egyptian people’s uprising, he stood on the 20th floor balcony of the Cairo Marriott looking serene and hopeful.

“Now, we are preparing for part two of the revolution,” he said with a smile.

Stephanie RiceOctober 14, 2011 06:04

The Egyptian revolution's early, failed days

David Wolman spent time with the April 6 Movement well before it reached critical mass.

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Wired magazine contributing editor David Wolman at the Open Hands Initiative / GlobalPost 'Covering a Revolution' seminar in Cairo, October 2011. (Kim Badawi/GlobalPost)

CAIRO — The revolution began as a failure.

At least that’s how it seemed on a sun-scorched summer day in 2008, as security forces easily dispersed a small group of protesters attempting to spread their pro-democracy message on an Alexandria beach.

David Wolman, contributing editor for Wired magazine, was shadowing activist Ahmed Maher and some friends for a story on Egypt’s nascent social networking protest movement.

Charles M. SennottOctober 14, 2011 06:02

Egypt: 'Covering a Revolution' fellows converge in Cairo

A team of young Egyptian and American journalists answer the question, "Where were you on January 25?"

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GlobalPost / Open Hands Initiative "Covering a Revolution" fellow Mai Shams El-Din connects via her smartphone as Egyptian activists and bloggers Gigi Abrahim (L) Ramy Raoof (C) and Ahmed Maher (R) discuss the revolution in Cairo, October 2011. (Ben Brody/GlobalPost)

CAIRO – Mohamed Abdelfattah, then a young videographer for Al Ahram online, said, “I’m a journalist. Here’s my credential.”

The Egyptian policeman slapped him, and as he pushed him into a police van said, “You’re a journalist and chanting against Mubarak.”

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Seventeen top young Egyptian and American journalists have convened in Cairo from October 12-23, 2011 as part of the GlobalPost / Open Hands Initiative "Covering a Revolution" Fellowship. This team of reporters seeks to tell the story of Egypt's 'unfinished revolution,' searching for stories that will enlighten and inform GlobalPost's audience on the historic events still unfolding in Cairo. Embracing the mission of Open Hands Initiative "to support people-to-people understanding around the world," this fellowship brings together Egyptian and American reporters through a belief that working together they can produce stronger news coverage. Their work in the field will be chronicled in this blog and will culminate with a GlobalPost "Special Report" in the lead up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for November.

Funding for this project is provided by The Open Hands Initiative.

GlobalPost is proud to publish this work in partnership with Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Equipment was generously provided by Canon.