The Media Work of Syrian Diaspora Activists : Brokering Between the Protest and Mainstream Media

Abstract

The role of Syrian diaspora activists has been identified as key to both supporting and shaping the world’s image of the Syrian uprising. This article examines the multifaceted media work of Syrian diaspora activists, conceptualized as “cultural brokerage” in a global and national setting. Based on personal interviews with activists in exile in five countries, this study identifies and analyzes three main aspects of brokerage: (a) linking the voices of protesters inside the country to the outside world, (b) managing messages to bridge the gap between social media and mainstream media, and (c) collaborating with professional journalists and translating messages to fit the contexts and understandings of foreign publics.