Digital Activism: The Silent Scream

Although I don’t consider myself a digital activist, I do voice my negative opinion of media, government, banks, plutocracy and oligopoly on Facebook. It is also pertinent to mention that I was removed from Facebook temporarily for my pessimistic opinions these topics. At least that is my fervent belief.  I believe the powers that be have the Orwellian microscope out on outspoken digital activists and I don’t need the stress. "The term, digital activism, describes activities or practices that are both in depth and exclusive. In depth in that it encompasses all social and a political campaigning practice that use digital network infrastructure; exclusive in that it excludes practices that are not examples of this type of practice".

           Offline Activist

It is my contention and instinctive belief that there are two sides of a coin and digital activism should be no exception to this rule. Although I have high hopes for the, Fifth Estate, any exchange of knowledge locally or globally needs to be delivered responsibly and truthfully. The reason there are now Five Estates is because the first four have at some stage been corrupted. Digital activism, which tries to rewrite wrongs and give the masses a voice, can also represent people with bias agendas and occasionally delusional goals. On Mary C Joyce’s blog site Meta-Activism, she notes that the importance is not essentially whether digital activism is right or wrong, but more on what factors lead to all its controversy and tension surrounding these new media platforms. Or as F. Scott Fitzgerald aptly puts it “the test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” One thing Joyce maintains is that digital activism involves both political engagement and citizen empowerment. Personally I believe any form of peaceful activism is necessary, especially as the gap between rich and poor increases.  It is also a better path for citizens than political apathy, which in turn leads to further citizen repression and complacency. 

                                                                                                          Offline Activist

There are certain academics like Marshall Ganz that believe that digital activism is best done offline. But this seems like Anglo centric thinking as continents like Asia and Africa haven’t got the organisation, education and mobilisation skills to achieve offline social changes. The Arab Spring and overthrowing of African dictators owes a lot of its success to blogs and SMS. One must also look at countries like China and North Korea where digital activism is forbidden. Both countries seem to be under the mercy and domination of their Government. But Ganz does have a point believing that at some stage the people behind the social media sites have to get together physically. As Lisa Goldman points out in Techpresident, “Egyptian activists always rejected vigorously the notion that social media drove their revolution. It was the outcome of old-fashioned grassroots organizing on the ground, they insisted. To support their claim, they point to the fact that the critical mass of people descended to the streets during the five days the Mubarak regime shut off the Internet and mobile phone networks." Therefore it is safe to acknowledge that both digital and non digital activism works as a coinciding force and distinction between the two isn't as important as the end result.

                                                                                                    Digital Activist

I think digital activism voices the opinions of people that have been unheard for centuries. It is the first time in history that voices and opinions of the globe can be heard at anytime and anyplace. Up until now minorities ruled, however digital activism gives the majority a chance to write the rules. I’d imagine the powers that be would like to limit the amount of social media freedoms. Social media and activism also puts a mirror up to print and analogue media that  previous to now have had political propaganda and spin on its side. Although some activists may abuse the power and sometimes have no journalistic, political or academic background, everyone has a right to be heard. After all that’s what democracy is all about. It is however essential to check all citizen journalists, bloggers and social media spokespeople for authenticity and veracity. Although we all have a right to speak, some don’t have the integrity to be heard. 

 The Arab Spring

 

References

1. Sivitandes, M, 2011, The Era of Digital Activism, Consiar.

2. Wikipedia, Fifth Estate.

3. Joyce, M, 2011, Meta-Activism

4. Goldman, l, 2013, Techpresident.

Images

1.  http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/K/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-9365086-2-402.jpg

2. http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/G/Mahatma-Gandhi-9305898-1-402.jpg

3. https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSC0vCFnFS3b9hzprKiZFm3PiXsviZZ6oZCqiEl33wEtnI9UYE_9w

Video

1.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6S8iQ5KSkU