Campaign: S. Korean bloggers say no to FTA

Written by Talia on May 21, 2008 – 1:50 pm -

CounterPunch

Description: KORUS FTA, a newly drafted but yet to be signed free trade agreement, is considered the most important milestone in U.S.-South Korean relations since the 1953 military accord, and America’s second largest FTA behind NAFTA . While some, including South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, support the FTA for its economic prospects, many South Koreans are unhappy about potentially importing meat tainted with Mad Cow disease. In a unprecedented move, South Korean teens are taking their outrage to the blogosphere in what is being called the “digital” Gwangju Democratization Movement.

Tools Being Used: blogs

What are they doing: The teen cyber-activists are excited about being part of a new revolution by comparing the current protest with the democratization movement of nearly 30 years ago, while others are organizing candlelight vigils and demonstration meetings and posting photos of rallies on their blogs.

“Our society is so noisy due to mad cow disease,” said one blogger. “The government says it is an unscientific rumor, criticizes that there is an anti-American group at the rear, and blames the untrustworthy internet. Conservative newspapers complain that someone is spreading ghost stories utilizing emotional equipment, the Internet. But what we have to realize this time is not about fear from ghost stories. Why does the government try to cover our anger and sigh under the pretext of anti-American groups or unscientific rumor? The government should face the reasons why we’re mad and shouldn’t ignore our anger.”


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Tactic: Jamaicans blog for Prison Reform

Written by Talia on May 15, 2008 – 1:09 am -

 
view of the entrance area of Tower Street Adult Correctional Center in Jamaica

Description: Jamaica has one of the most controversial criminal justice systems in the world.   There have been reports of overcrowded prisons throughout the Caribbean island.  In recent months a Jamaican nonprofit has made strides to give prisoners training on how to use citizen media to document their grievances.

Tools Being Used: blogs, Flickr, podcast

What They Are Doing: The S.E.T Foundation, a grantee of Rising Voices, is a program that works with prisons to reduce recidivism, by helping prisoners become productive citizens after they are released.  As part of the Prison Diaries project, prisoners will be trained on how to use the group blog, as well as edit their own audio and video clips.   Prisoners are also using Flickr to post photos.  The goal of the project is to give the world a reality check about Jamaica’s prison system.

“Through blogging, inmates are able to tell their stories,” said SET Foundation leader Kevin Wallen.  ”They are able to paint a realistic picture of life behind bars and the consequences of crime. Currently, Jamaica’s music and media idolize the ‘badman’ or ’shotta’ and portray as role models those who have been incarcerated. Many of our youths now think that prison is a ‘cool’ place to be, until they themselves are faced with the harsh truth. The Diary of an Inmate blog will allow all Jamaicans to learn about the realities of Jamaica’s overcrowded prison system with the hope that this will counteract the false ideas implanted by the media.”

Read more »


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Tactic: Facebook and blogs highlight cyclone relief in Burma

Written by Talia on May 7, 2008 – 4:03 pm -

Burmese refugees made homeless by the cyclone

Description: International aid is beginning to arrive in Burma, following last week’s devastating Cyclone Nargis, which is believed to have killed at least 22,000 people. Another 41, 000 people are currently unaccounted for. Internet activists go online to blame Burma’s military regime for the slow response and use social media to get aid to victims.

Tools Used: Facebook, blogs

What They Are Doing: Burma Global Action Network (BGAN) created a facebook page to act as a clearing house for Internet users to find and make much needed donations to relief organizations working on the ground. Users are also being asked to upload and view photos, videos and personal stories about the damages Cyclone Nargis has created. Many bloggers have also started to circulate BGAN director Sophie Lwin’s call to action and her disgust with Burma’s government on their blogs.

“I am not going to be sleeping much at all over the next 48 hours, right now their (sic) are people in Burma struggling to save their homes and find food and the regime is in total disarray,” said Lwin. “They need us.”

photo credit: AFP


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Campaign: Shanghai’s Middle Class vs. the Maglev

Written by Mary on January 27, 2008 – 11:59 pm -

Description of Campaign: Citizens of Shanghai are organizing to prevent the cities maglev train from being extended into their residential neighborhood.

Digital Activism Tools: digital photographs, digital video, blogs, community bulletin boards

How These Tools are Being Used: Digital photos and video are taken at protests, then unploaded onto blogs and community message boards to increase awareness of the protests, which are referred to using the euphemism “strolls.”

source: Washington Post


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