DigiActive.org

What Neda Means: Citizen Media Frames the Protests

From left: a paining of Neda made by annebot, videos of Neda’s murder on YouTube,
an altered profile image on Twitter shifts the “where’s my vote?” meme

Background:  In his post on Saturday, DigiActive correspondent Hamid Tehrani referred in passing to “a scene of a girl murdered by security forces.”  A few days later and we all know who she was - Neda Agha Soltan, a 26-year-old killed en route to a protest in Tehran.  Only in this age, where every citizen with a cell phone can became a journalist and broadcaster is the story of Neda possible.

Tools: The story of Neda’s rise to prominence and powerful symbolism is a story of citizen media: from the cell phone cameras that recorded her death (video here - it is graphic), to the blogger who posted her story on the citizen journalism site NewsVine, to the Twitter conversation around the hashtag #Neda, and the Wikipedia entry that recorded the details of her murder in detail.   Finally her story reached the mainstream media: CNN, The New York Times, and Iranian television.

Analysis:  This is the story of Neda’s transformation from a person into a symbol.  But what does this story mean?  In particular, what does it mean for digital activism? Usually when we think of the use of digital technology for activism we think of communication tools which facilitate mass collective action: SMS, Facebook groups, listservs.  Yet the idea of Neda, though it may have inspired rage, sadness, and a commitment to continue protes, was not what we traditionally think of as digital activism.

Neda didn’t organize a protest but she helped to firmly re-frame the post-election protests in Iran.  The frame, or narrative, which the Iranian government was pushing was that the protests were caused by Western meddling and that the protesters were terrorists.   By making Neda the symbol of the opposition - a beautiful and unarmed young woman, previously apolitical - the new frame has moved firmly to those in the streets: the protesters are innocent idealists.  The government is murdering its people without cause.  Neda is not a terrorist.  She is a martyr (or so the Times story framed it).  And the practical effect of this re-framing on protests in Iran?  A renewed commitment to go out in the street every day, an ideal that Neda will not have died in vain.

Lessons:  What are the lessons for activists who wish to use citizen media to frame a public issue?  First, the media should be clear and emotional.  Neda’s video - the most spreadable form of media about her sotry - was raw and visceral.  Without understanding the words of the men trying to help her or knowing much of the story it was possible to empathize with her and feel the pain of her injustice.  It was international.

Second, push the media out on multiple platforms.  It is unclear where the video was first uploaded, though there are now several versions on YouTube.   The story was also pushed out through Newsvine, a news site accessible to ordinary citizens, and through Twitter.   Third, your goal should be to get into the mainstream media.  This is still where the majority of eyes are.  Email your content to media sources, but only if this will not put you in danger.  Finally, make is personal.  We understand news through human stories.  In America, we came to saw the corruption of our economic crisis through the crooked financier of Bernie Madoff.   Heroes too personify a struggle.

Discussion: What if Tiananmen Square happened today?

Description: This week commemorations are occurring worldwide in observance of the Tiananmen Square protests and massacres of 1989. With the rise of Flickr and Twitter used for social justice, many digital activists wonder out loud if the now famed events would have transpired differently had social media tools been around twenty years ago. Clearly, the Chinese government knows the power of cyber-activism, as they have blocked most Internet social networks and foreign newspapers in the country ahead of the anniversary. Although there is an online blackout in China, activists still find ways to get their messages of protest out.

Digital Tools Being Used: various tools

What Are They Doing: Twitter has been blocked for the last two days, nonetheless, users worldwide have been using the hashtag #fuckGFW (Great FireWall of China) to express their outrage at the online blocking. Chinese blogger Xavier Lur said on his website TechXav that the Chinese officials created the drastic blockade to not only protect national security and prevent anti-government content from being seen, but it may have also been economics.

He says:

Without blocking Google, Baidu cannot success. Without blocking Wikipedia, Hoodong cannot success. Without blocking Blogger, Blogcn cannot success. Without blocking YouTube, Youku cannot success. These huge International Internet Companies do not pay taxes to China Government, but the Internet Companies in China do pay taxes. The Chinese government wants to make more bucks, so and to boost their GDP. Also, they want to “protect” China websites and hence blocking successful International websites.

What is the potential Impact: “Ellen” (she asked to not have her real name used) is a Chinese college student and blogger who was only a toddler twenty years ago. She says that as much as the Chinese government tries to block the Internet, they will eventually realize that censorship will increasingly be hard to regulate as more people get connected.

“The revolution is happening in cyberspace,” she said in an e-mail message. “If Tiananmen happened today, the government wouldn’t be able to suppress anger towards them around the globe. I might not see YouTube or read blogs in Beijing, but someone else can in Singapore, in Cairo, in Nairobi, in Rio, in London, in New York. My country is fighting an uphill battle, and it needs to put up their white flag.”

Tactic: Homelessness highlighted in video

Description: The current economic downturn continues to take its toll in both industrialized and developing countries. According to a report from UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing Miloon Kothari, nearly one billion people around the world lack adequate housing, and approximately 100 million people have no housing of any kind. Recently, there have been efforts to spotlight the plight of society’s most vulnerable members.

Digital Tools Being Used: Video, Blog, Twitter, Text Messaging

What Are They Doing: TakePart.com is a cause-related site designed to help explore today’s pressing issues using video, images and audio, and added actions to make a difference such as signing a petition or educating the community. Their latest video is called Beth’s Story, which looks at homelessness.

“Beth’s Story, was created to shine a light on the millions of people living on the street who are often times overlooked, said TakePart.com organizer KC Webster. “She is a composite of their many complicated, often heartbreaking realities and of the issues and challenges lead to homelessness.”

Impact: It is too early to tell the ultimate impact of the campaign, but so far, success has been made. Beth’s Story has also been promoted on TakePart’s blog, Twitter feed, text messaging and YouTube account, each tool has a few hundred followers supporting the cause.

“We are trying to get the word out about Beth’s Story, to get as many eyeballs to recognize the homeless issue as possible (On You Tube it is already 21,555 views strong!) and to realize that even though most of us are only exposed to numbing statistics, each individual number has a story,” Webster said.

7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 Weeks: Campaign for AIDS Orphans

Background: Hope Runs is a non-profit NGO based in East Africa that uses education, athletics, and social entrepreneurship to empower AIDS orphans. When founders Claire Williams and Lara Vogel were travelling through Kenya in 2006, they came across the Tumaini Children’s Center, an orphanage that houses over 170 children. They were immediately impressed by the strong commitment the center had to building a haven for the children- most of them AIDS orphans- to live in.

Both avid runners and bloggers, Williams and Vogel decided to start a non-profit in which they could educate the children in many ways, especially the thrill of running. They set up marathons within the community and athletic education programs within orphanages. They created a blog  in order to teach the orphans technological skills and get their voices heard. They also started an online video series, which highlighted the children’s lives. This program led to a computer class for the kids, further advancing their digital education. The class, in turn, developed into “Tomorrow’s Leaders,” a business and social entrepreneurship training program for Kenyan high school graduates. While the program is still being developed, Hope Runs is currently working with the UCLA Anderson School of Business to launch it at a Kenyan orphanage shortly.

As stated on the website, “with its ability to show personal progress, to prove the effectiveness of goal-setting and discipline, and to improve these children’s health, running has proven an amazing tool to teach these children motivational and disciplinary lessons that can apply to every aspect of their life.” These children are just a few of the estimated 53 million children in sub-Saharan Africa who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. This is why Hope Runs created the 777 Challenge. Hope Runs works to empower this entire generation to enable them the prosperous future they deserve. All proceeds from the 777 Challenge’s fundraising will go to assisting Hope Runs in their efforts.

Campaign Description: The Hope Runs 777 challenge is a fundraising effort that literally spans the globe. It involves a team of volunteer runners who plan to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 weeks starting in January 2010. The goal of this challenge is to raise money and awareness of the plight of AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. As of now, the team consists of 30 members from all around the world, who will raise more than $26,000 each (in addition to travel expenses) for Hope Runs. This venture, if accomplished, will break 5 Guinness World Records, including Natasha Peters, the youngest woman to complete 7 marathons in 7 continents.  Peters is an 18-year-old student from  Canada, and she is one of a few team members to write about her experiences on her blog, www.tasharuns.wordpress.com. DigiActive had a chance to ask her a few questions:

Gaby: How did you hear about the organization and get involved in the 777 challenge?

Natasha: I read about Hope Runs in Runners World a couple of years ago and was really interested because I thought it was such an innovative and transformative model, and I have followed what the organization does ever since.  This year, I wanted to fundraise in conjunction with doing the Ottawa marathon and was talking to Lara and Claire at Hope Runs about this and then got more information on the 777.  It was at that point that I became transfixed with the idea of combining my passions of travel, cultures, running, and contributing to the world community.  Hence, I applied to the 777 and the rest is history.

Gaby: Did you ever think about how running could make such an impact on other peoples’ lives the way it will with the 777 challenge?

Natasha: One of my favorite quotes is “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” by Howard Thurman.  I am a true believer that everyone has something unique to offer and that change and impact can come in the most surprising of ways.  Therefore, I definitely have always thought that a lasting and powerful impact can come from running, or anything else for that matter, and am really excited to be a part of that!

Gaby: Why do you think an event such as the 777 challenge is a good tool in activism and advocacy? What do you think it can it teach other activists who want to make a difference in the world?

Natasha: For me, running is a particularly good tool for advocacy because it both pushes me to my limit and demonstrates the lengths I’m willing to go to for a cause, inspiring others to become involved as well; it also makes me come alive because it is one of my favorite activities. Running is what I love, therefore, I am able to put so much more into what I do because I love it.  If a large amount of passion and dedication is put into something, it will be so much more powerful than just trying to fit into someone else’s mold that does not inspire you.  The first step in successful activism is to show your own dedication and passion, thus, the 777 challenge is a perfect way to make an impact.

Gaby: 7 marathons in 7 weeks on 7 continents sounds exciting, but for someone like me (who is not exactly “fit”) also a bit terrifying! How are you preparing yourself physically for such an adventure?

Natasha: I get this question a lot! Firstly, training; secondly, not getting injured.  I will be running the Ottawa marathon coming up soon and have (more or less) followed pre-established marathon training plans to train for that (a long run every week, weekly base mileage, some cross training, speed training, etc).  I will be more or less maintaining that fitness while expanding on endurance and speed for the next months and will do some fall racing to keep in shape.

Gaby: Of all 7 continents, which are you most excited to run in?

Natasha: Antartica! (but really, all will be adventures)!

Gaby: How does the fundraising aspect of the challenge work? Do you raise all the travel expenses on your own? How are you accomplishing this?

Natasha: Yes, I need to fundraise for the trip itself, and also my goal is $42,200 CAD for Hope Runs as well.  I am asking for personal and corporate donations, as well as hosting several events to fundraise.

Gaby: What you and your team members are doing is truly inspiring. What can others do to help you all accomplish your goal?

Natasha: Spread the word! And donate: http://tasharuns.wordpress.com/donate/

Digital Tools Being Used: Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

How These Tools Are Being Used: So far, three 777 team members have blogs that raise awareness for the campaign. The team member blogs are all well organized and provide a lot of insight into what the runners are trying to accomplish. The blogs are also used to raise money, as each member is responsible for raising at least $26,000 and an additional $14,000 for travel costs.

Hope Runs has two blogs: the first is www.TumainiKids.blogspot.com in which the children from Hope Runs’ partner orphanages write their own posts. It possibly one of the first blogs on the Internet written by orphans and vulnerable children.  The blog is used both to raise awareness of the millions of orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa, and to educate the children in grassroots digital activism. It has generated a lot of comments and support. Because it is, most likely, the only blog of its kind, it is refreshing to see the children’s technological education come to fruition. The other blog, http://runningonhope.blogspot.com, written by founder Claire Williams, consists of posts about the organization and the challenge. Hope Runs also has a channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/trippingonwords) that is used to create the online video series.

Some members have used Facebook groups that explain the campaign and encourage others to help them raise money. Team members organize fundraising events and post the information on the page. Most groups have substantial membership and discussion. Julianne Chai, a team member from California has 95 followers on two blogs and almost 3,000 followers on twitter. She has been using these tools to raise the money she needs.

Success and Impact: The 777 challenge has not officially started yet, and will only be completed in March 2010. While Hope Runs and the 777 team members use many digital tools in their efforts to raise awareness and fundraise, it is difficult to determine how successful the campaign is until the challenge commences in January. Only then can we determine whether or not sufficient funds were raised. However, it is assumed that if someone is able to raise enough money, then the awareness raised in the process is a significant amount, as well.

The fundraising aspect seems extremely difficult to accomplish. Hope Runs acknowledges this on the website:

“Raising both funding and awareness for the cause of these children, the 777 Challenge represents a sacrifice, dedication and commitment by the team that many have said is impossible. But we hear that word a lot.People also say these kids’ beating the odds to have healthy, productive lives is impossible. We simply consider that untrue. And so 777 is going to show everyone–including our kids–exactly how far commitment and perseverance can take you.”

If the challenge is completed successfully, an estimated total of $780,000 will go to educating thousands of children with extracurricular activities as well as the vocational skills they require to better their futures.

Image: Hoperuns.org

Interview: Dr. Awab Alvi organiser of the Long March in Pakistan

See 'n' Report coverage of the Long March: visual monitoring of information updates

The Long March in Pakistan is a case study in digital activism. The campaign utilized the full range of digital tools, from blogs to social networking and citizen journalism, through the use of old and new technologies. Yet the most interesting aspect of this campaign is not in the tools themselves, but in the breadth and depth of the digital coverage.

The campaign mixed old and familiar tools such as Twitter and Facebook, with new and customized tools. Twitter was augmented by See ‘n’ Report. Like Twitter, See ‘n’ Report collated emails but also SMS and MMS updates whilst providing a campaigners front page, compromising a geographical view, multimedia feeds, SMS feeds, twitter feeds and beautifully compiled video footage using Flowplayer (a video player for the web).

All of which was collated through CoveritLive to provide live coverage of the event. CoveritLive is a viewer that can be embedded on a blog or website to link a combination of Twitter accounts and hashtags (upto 12 twitter accounts and 6 hashtags), reader comments, multimedia and live blogs (through iPhones, Blackberries etc).

Activity was monitored through Cligs which provides analytical tools on traffic going through a site.

DigiActive interviewed one of the organizers, Dr. Awab Alvi.

Read more »

Presidential Candidates Go Virtual in Iran

Description:The Iranian presidential election will be held in about a month and more than 400 people have registered as candidates. However, they still need the Council of Guardians to approve their nominations. In the last presidential election in 2005, less than 10 people among over 1,000 registered candidates got the chance to run, and all the lucky candidates were faithful and loyal to the Islamic Republic. This time the supporters of leading candidates are using digital means to promote their favorite politicians. Facebook and YouTube, which were banned until recently, have been used by candidates to beef up their chances in the coming election.

Tools and People: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s supporters started to use all the digital means at their disposal. Their virtual campaign is named Dar Emtade Meh (means “following kindness”). In this site supporters are invited to use Facebook, SMS,Twitter,YouTube and blogs to communicate the message. YouTube is used in very pivotal way by campaigners and several Ahmadinejad’s meetings and trips are there. Ahmadinejad is considered a conservative politician.

Mir Hussein Mousavi, former Prime Minister, has launched an internet based TV. His campaign claims that more than 1,000 blogs announced their support of Mousavi. He is supported by former reformist president Mohammad Khatami and he calls himself an independent candidate.

The supporters of Mehdi Karrubi’s, former parliamentary speaker, have launched a Facebook page where several election films are published. Karrubi is considered a reformist candidate.

Impact: It is very interesting that Iranian authorities allowed Iranians access to Facebook and YouTube just a few months ago and already we see they are really present in candidates’ campaigns. The presence of bloggers as adviser to candidates and/or their campaigners reveal that citizen media has creeped its way into mainstream politics. Mohammad Abtahi, former vice president and blogger, is adviser to Karrubi and several bloggers are active in Mousavi’s campaign. Just as we now have “governmental NGOs” in Iran, in the future we will probably have “state-run citizen media.”

Tool: Animoto converts photos into video

Tool: http://animoto.com

Tool Description: An online service that picks out your photos and music to combine them into a short (30 seconds for free) video. Animoto’s website says its engine analyzes users’ photos and music — and takes into account the music’s genre, rhythm and tempo — to generate a video. And, it says, no two videos are ever the same.

Activist Application: Could be great for activists who want to make a YouTube-style video about their cause but don’t have the skills or software for traditional video editing.  You can use images and music created by people in your cause or use free Creative Commons music and photos (with attribution!).  A great source for Creative Commons photos is Flickr’s Creative Commons collection and for music try Jamendo.

Downsides:  To create longer videos, you’ll have to pay. Animoto however says it supports not-for-profits and other humanitarian causes with free pro accounts.  I also had some difficulty in uploading the video to my YouTube account, and in downloading it, though it went easily to my Facebook page.

Ease of Use: Very user-friendly. Downloads pictures from some online sites too.

Animoto promises all “automatic” operations, completely customized, done in the speed of “just minutes”, no two
videos are ever the same, unlimited shorts for free (but you pay for longer-than-30-seconds), and a tool “created by TV and film producers”.

Hat-tip: Esra’a El Shafei of Mideast Youth

Image: Frederick Noronha

Campaign: Couple raise funds for child health online

Description: Dealing with the loss of a child can be devastating for any family. New media consultant Amani Channel and his wife Daphne lost their firstborn twin sons hours after their birth three years ago. They made a video documenting the pregnancy and shared it with the world, hoping to raise awareness and funds for March of Dimes, a leading nonprofit on pregnancy and baby health. Using social media, the Channels hope to use their own experience to not only raise  money, but to also provide support to other families going through the same ordeal.

Digital Tools Being Used: Twitter, Video, Facebook, Email, Enewsletter, blog

What Did They Do: On the first and second anniversaries of the twins’ birth, Amani sent out an unofficial email blast and blogged to friends and family, asking to donate to the organization. Through those efforts, they raised $US550.00. This year, Amani and Daphne decided to step up their efforts, and raise an official amount of money -$US 5,000.

“I used several different methods to raise money, but each was related and used social media as the focal point,” Amani said in an email interview. “I revised a video that I produced, and put it on my blog. I also Twittered about the March of Dimes and the twins for about four hours on Friday April 17 through Sunday April 19. To date we’re raised $1,300.00 total, and it seems each day someone is adding to the pot.”

Impact: So far, there has been both financial and emotional impact. Amani said that repeatedly talking about it on Twitter, posting the video on Facebook, and his blog, and his enewsletter have helped.

“Success can be measured a few ways,” Amani continued. “First, the amount of donations that have come in. In less than a week we were able to more than double the amount we had raised in more than two years. I think overall awareness is another way. Some of those who donated said they never thought to support the March of Dimes, so our efforts have helped raised the visibility of the charity. Also, our story has helped other families who have experienced something similar. We’ve heard from friends, and strangers who say everything we’re doing is an inspiration.”

Tool: Live Video Stream of Georgian Protests

UPDATE: On April 22nd, protests are scheduled to begin at 3pm local time (GMT +4).

Click the image above to view live footage of the central protest site in Tbilisi.

Background: The screen-shot above shows that all is quiet.  While it is 10pm for me here in the US, it is 6am in Tbilisi, Georgia, which has been rocked by protests since April 9th.  Global press coverage has wained, but the protests continue.  Earlier today, opposition leader Levan Gachechiladze called for a “ghetto of tents” to be raised on Tbilisi’s main street, Rustaveli Avenue.  As you can see from the image of the street above, those tents are really make-shift jail cells (upper left), constructed by protesters who claim that President Mikheil Saakashvili’s government is becoming ever more repressive and authoritarian.  Their ultimate goal is that Saakashvili resign.

The live stream (click HERE to view live footage of the protest area) has been posted online by Maestro, a television station which has previously tussled with the government.  According to a U.S. State Department report, They were denied a license to broadcast political programs in 2007 by the government’s Communication Commission.  After broadcasting the audio of the the shows over images of music videos, the government formally warned the station that they lacked the proper license, then rejected their application.  The license was finally granted after international pressure was placed on Saakashvili’s government.

Applications for Activists:  Although this live stream was set up by a television station, it could also be set up for relatively low cost by using a free platform like UStream or Mogulus and a web cam.  The possibility of live-streaming protests gives new meaning to the old phrase “the whole world is watching.”  With live streaming, activists can create an alternate source of surveillance and, if they are able to collect footage of abuses, hold leaders accountable.

Drawbacks: The limitations of live streaming are both logistical and technical.  It only makes sense to create a live stream of a specific location if you know something will happen there.  In this case, the opposition placed physical props in the location and announced it as the scene of the protests, so they have some control over whether the protests will actually occur there.  On the technical side, streaming video requires high bandwidth.  (Mogulus, for example, recommends 700 Kbps or higher upstream bandwidth for high quality).  So activists with low bandwidth would be advised to capture visual evidence via photos and post them on the free site Flickr or take short video clips with a mobile phone or digital camera and upload them to YouTube or human rights platform The Hub.

Hat-tip: my friend at the Office of the Public Defender of Georgia

Discussion: Infanticide and ethical video sharing

Topic: Human rights group Survival International has accused American evangelical missionaries of inciting racism and presenting false information with a controversial online video denouncing infanticide among Brazilian indigenous tribes called “Hakani,” which has been viewed on YouTube over 350,000 times. The incident has put a spotlight on the fine line between digital activism and ethical responsibility.

Digital Tools Being Used: Video, Facebook

What is the Debate: The video depicts scenes, now deemed to be reenactments, of Indians in an Amazon village digging graves and burying several live children in them. It was directed by David Cunningham, the son of the founder of an American fundamentalist missionary organisation called ‘Youth with a Mission’, which has a branch in Brazil known as Jocum. The “Hakani” campaign also maintains a website and a Facebook group with more than 13,000 members. The campaign is urging people to donate money and write letters in support of the Muwaji’s Law, which is a proposed Brazilian law that would make infanticide by indigenous groups illegal. Survival said the film is “faked, that the earth covering the children’s faces is actually chocolate cake, and that the film’s claim that infanticide among Brazilian Indians is widespread is false.” While infanticide is common with some indigenous tribes with ill children, the practice has become more rare as medical access to rural communities has improved.

“I think the missionaries are stirring up hatred against the Indians, who they profess to be concerned about,” said Fiona Watson, a Brazil campaigner for Survival, in a Reuters interview. “The infanticide is not being explained, it’s being taken out of context. They have now suddenly become baby-killers.”