critical spin on new media and activism
 
Tag: <span>Digital activism</span>

Social media in Catalonia: Polarization or debate?


Social media in Catalonia: Polarization or debate?
 Political tension in Catalonia has reached the highest levels in recent years. To this date, the situation is still blocked by antagonistic positions without any constructive dialogue between the parties. Have social networks fostered this political polarization or not? I live far from …

#IWD2018 (4/5): Six lessons on research from women’s rights activists in the Pacific

It’s blog post writing day and time for my contribution to Volte-face’s coverage of International Women’s Day (IWD) #IWD2018. The Pacific Going on a regional theme started by my fellow bloggers, I thought I’d take a step out of my comfort zone and cover a geographical area that I don’t …

#IWD2018 (3/5): When #MeToo arrived, #NiUnaMenos was already there

This #8M has been a day of important mobilization throughout the Latin America. Although more symbolic than real, many organizations have joined the International Women’s Strike. These protests coincide with an impulse of the international feminist movement derived from campaigns like #MeToo or #TimesUp. However, Latin America has produced its …

#IWD2018 (2/5): Online movements need to innovate to avoid disappearing

The #metoo movement got rolling when Hollywood actress @Alyssa_Milano requested women to publicly join the movement on 15 October 2017. It quickly spread to Sweden, and has managed to maintain both support and exposure over several months. Many didn’t think it would keep momentum for that long. In order to …

#IWD2018 (1/5): Why we need to focus on ICT in Women’s rights

International Women’s Day 2018 made social media explode with engagement world-wide. Hashtags such as #IWD2018, #PressforProgress, #TimeisNow and #Wikigap have been trending on Twitter for the past couple of days. Going online and turning to ICT tools (Information and Communication Technology) in the fight for women’s rights and equality is …

Black Panther, Representation and Activism

As many others, Black Panther made me feel excited about finally seeing some fair representation on the cinema screen. The important role and power of black women in the piece tickled the intersectional feminist in me, so I couldn’t help but think: What does this mean for African activism and …

Realizing ICT4D requires structural awareness

The attraction of the “Africa market”, albeit a simplification of both the proportions and boundaries between the 50 plus countries on the continent, remains of large interest to multinational enterprises within the ICT field and beyond. Most of these still have their origins in the global north. The alluring positive …

Why you never hear about African LGBTI rights in social media

The right to express both identity and sexuality is far from obvious. Just under half of the UN member states see LGBTI as a human right. It is a divided matter and for some controversial. There is also little to read about African LGBTI rights in social media. Although, digital …

Trump’s plans to support alternative media in Cuba: no, thanks

Internet and ICT have opened up a space for new alternative media in Cuba. Nevertheless, we must analyse their potential for change under the light of other social, economic and political factors. Some traditional opponents to the Cuban regime currently supported by Trump would like to see new media bring …

You won’t believe what Facebook is going to do next to clampdown on grassroots activism

Facebook has us all hoodwinked! Listen here you digital activists, slacktivists and one-percenters – isn’t it time to make a volte-face on this nonsense and take a look at the bigger picture?! I have a problem with Facebook activism. On the one hand it provides the possibility to spread messages …