The Potential of Social Media Platforms in the Internet in Facilitating Social Change: an Observation of the “Pro-Rh” Facebook Group.

The Potential of Social Media Platforms in the Internet in Facilitating Social Change: An Observation of the “Pro-RH” Facebook group.

Introduction The year 2011 is remembered as the year of the ‘Arab Spring”, a period in the world’s history marked with a series of revolutions, protests and wars aimed in overthrowing corrupt and autocratic governments and an increased demand for equality and social rights in the Arab world. Starting in a “self-immolation” act of a market seller in Tunisia, the awareness that fuelled the collapse of autocracy and the increased demand for change have brought the widespread protests in Bahrain and Egypt, civil wars in Libya and Syria, and government concessions in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. An interesting point in this case is the role of Facebook and Twitterin spearheading political and social change in a society perceived to be unjust, corrupt and antiquated. With the increasing globalization and easement of communication barriers, the Internet is increasingly becoming a platform for a faster and more accurate dissemination of information that can fuel discontent, provide support for a specific cause or debate, and inform its subscribers (or netizens) on the specificities of an event or issue. This enabled a mass dissemination of information likened to the spread of a “virus”. Social media, according to Anderson (2009) is also seen to be an alternative to the mainstream and commercial media (Radio, TV and Print) where it can be prone for misinformation, censorship and bias in favour of the ruling government. In the Philippines, social media usage is ubiquitous and popular especially among the youth aged 15-29 years. A study conducted by Nielsen (2011) said that approximately three out of ten Filipino consumers have internet access and 52% of these consumers have direct internet access in their own homes. Additionally, the Philippines is considered to be one of the countries reporting a high usage of Facebook and Twitter

References: 2. Anderson, S.C (2009). “Why is social media important to civil society”.Retrieved March 7, 2013 from http://strange.corante.com/2009/07/08/why-is-social-media-important-to-civil society. 3. Beckett, C. (2011). “A Virtual Civil Society”?.Retrieved on March 7, 2013 on http://www.comminit.com/content/virtual-civil-society. 4. Defensor-Santiago, M. (31, December 2012) “Leave no woman behind”. CNN. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/29/opinion/philippines-reproductive-health-bill-santiago. 7. Fraser, M. (2000). “Rethinking the public sphere: a contribution to the critique of actually existing democracy”. Social Text. 25/26. Duke University Press. Pp.59-60. 8. Habermas, J. (2000). The structural transformation of the public sphere: an inquiry into a category of a bourgeois society. Cambridge, MA. 9. Hogarth, R.M. (1982). The importance of context in understanding discourse. “Question Framing and response consistency”. Chicago. Jossey-Bass, Inc. pp. 77-91. 10. Kincaid, L. (2000). Mass media and behaviour: A longitudinal analysis of contraceptive change in the Philippines” [Abstract]. Sage Journal. Retrieved from: http://crx.sagepub.com/content/27/6/723 11 12. Merton, R.K. (1968). Social theory and social structure. 3rd Ed. London. Colliers-McMillan Limited. pp.441 490. 15. Panth, S. (2011). “Can civil societies build citizen competence?” Retrieved March 14, 2013 from http://blogs.worldbank.org/publicsphere/node/5760. 16. Philippine Commission on Women (2012). “The responsible parenthood and reproductive health act of 2012. Retrieved on February 14, 2013 from http://pcw.gov.ph/law/republic-act-10354 17 18. Snow, D., Benford, R. (1988). “Ideology, frame resonance and participant mobilization”. International Social Movement Research. Vol. 1. JAI Press, Inc. p. 200. 2. Ateneo Professors (15, October 2008). “Catholics can support RH too”. Message posted on http://2010presidentiables.wordpress.com/reproductive-health-bill-5043/text-of-ateneo professors-position-paper-on-rh-bill-5043/. 3 4. Canare, R.G. (20, December 2012) “In the battle for pushing the RH bill...”. Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 5. Canonizado, B. (11, October 2012). “A Call to Reveille” Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 6 7. Echauz, A. (6, August 2012). “1. I hate the RH bill because...”. Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 8. Gamboa, M. (17, September 2012) “Pass the RH bill”. Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 9. Hontiveros, R. (26, November 2012). “Catholic voice is for RH”. Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/notes/risa-hontiveros/hontiveros-catholic-vote-is-for rh/10151164278713182. 10. Lim, A.D. (28, April 2011). “Gone are the days...” Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 11. Morales, A. (28, April 2011). “Nagpraktis ng family planning...” Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 12. Parokya ng Tatlong Hari (6 September 2012). “The Negative Effects of the RH bill”. Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/notes/parokya-ng-tatlong-hari/the-negative-effects-of-reproductive health-bill/147048072004664. 13. Pena, S. (14, August 2012). “We, the Filipinos have always live with dirty politics”. Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 14. Pinon, G. (8, August 2011). “Being an Agnostic RH...” Message posted on: http://www.facebook.com/prorhbill?fref=ts. 15. The Varsitarian (2011) “RH bill, Ateneo and La Salle: of lemons and cowards: Retrieved from: http://www.varsitarian.net/editorial_opinion/editorial/20120930/rh_bill_ateneo_and_la_salle_of lemons_and_cowards 16 (credits to the Pro-RH Facebook group) Posted: May 27, 2011 (52 likes, 70 shares) Posted: May 18, 2011 (79 likes, 28 comments, 21 likes) Posted: August 25, 2012; In response to the Sotto issue (655 likes, 115 comments, 361 shares) Posted: August 18, 2012 (310 likes, 57 comments, 218 shares) Posted: August 31, 2012 (comparing Gloria and Noynoy’s policies and the bishop’s reaction; 874 likes, 78 comments, 1,476 shares) Posted: September 21, 2012 (205 likes, 11 comments, 75 shares) Posted: October 15, 2012 (487 likes, 42 comments, 495 shares) Posted November 26, 2012 (207 likes, 66 comments, 89 shares) Posted: November 29, 2012 (243 likes, 13 comments, 128 shares) Posted: December 2, 2012 (280 likes 101 comments, 288 shares). Posted: December 3, 2012 (138 likes, 15 comments, 51 shares) Posted: December 13, 2012 (247 likes, 93 comments, 166 shares) Posted: December 13, 2012 after the voting on the second reading of the RH bill. (59 likes, 13 comments, 19 shares) Posted: December 12, 2012 (128 likes, 9 comments, 20 shares) Posted: December 13, 2012 (620 likes, 40 comments, 477 shares) -------------------------------------------- [ 13 ]. The debates on the amendments of the RH bill in the Senate commenced onNovember 19, 2012, in which several concepts such as the “safe and satisfying sex” and “conception” were deliberated upon [ 14 ]