17 Jan 2011 Segment from BBC Newsnight with Belarussian writer Evgeny Morozov and British journalist Laurie Penny discussing the role of internet in civic activism and social movements.
Supposedly prompted by the Tunisian uprising but not quite able to conceal the television presenter's palpable fear that internet communication is supplanting the power of broadcast media.
This endless dissection and inspection (rejection?) of the "role of the internet" is so transparent. We know, we get it. Mainstream media fears the loss of advertising revenue.
Corporates fear the loss of revenue.
Governments fear the loss of controlling the masses through mainstream media.
Media fears the loss of power if they can't control the social agenda and the unruly masses WILL insist on thinking and talking for themselves.
Now they want to paint the internet as somehow less important, less shiny. As electronic snake oil. So that when they move to restrict it we will shrug and say "Oh well, it wasn't that reliable/important."

Oh dear. We already know that whenever one or other of these interested parties makes a move the public doesn't like, and the response is negative it's quickly labelled as "anarchy". We are one step away from being classed as terrorists for daring to communicate with each openly.

We know where this is all leading. But it really doesn't have to be this way. Perhaps governments, businesses, media can dip a toe in the open communication puddle. Come on guys, the water's lovely.