Terrorist Groups like Hizbullah Utilize New Media
The following excerpt was taken from and article posted on MEMRI.org.
Hizbullah's PR efforts can be described as sophisticated. The organization maintains a radio channel, Al-Nour. Another – and most important – front in Hizbullah's PR efforts is its Al-Manar TV and the Al-Manar TV website, which is the main conveyor of Hizbullah's activities to the world.
Al-Manar TV's website (www3.almanar.com.lb/main.php) is a gateway to its social media pages, including Apple iPhone, iPad, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Android, and Google Play; according to the icons already in place on the website, BlackBerry and Nokia are to be added soon.
On July 25, 2012, Al-Manar TV launched its apps for iPhone and iPad, which can be purchased on iTunes. The apps provide news from Al-Manar, as well as links to support staff at Al-Manar and a link to the developer of Hizbullah's app.
Hizbullah's "community" Facebook page (facebook.com/Hezb.alaah) was created in May 2012 and, as of this writing, has 2,123 "likes." The page's "About" section states simply that Hizbullah are the "victors," and the description of the group provides a historical summary of the group's establishment as a resistance movement. This page mostly contains images and posts glorifying Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, and quotes attributed to him.
Al-Manar TV also has its own official Facebook page (facebook.com/almanartv.info). The page was created July 18, 2012 and, as of this writing, has 592 "likes."
Hizbullah began tweeting (twitter.com/almanarnews) on November 16, 2011. As of this writing, it has posted 50,942 tweets – that is, an average of about 250 per day – and has 16,932 followers. The tweets are in Arabic, French, and English. They use Twitter tools including "Add This," which bills itself as "the world's largest sharing and social insights platform" to help the user "integrate sharing tools into your site, spread your content, and drive social traffic. In-depth analytics provide insight into your audience and their activity."
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