Civil Disobedience: Social Media

 Written By: Puck Arks

Civil Disobedience: The Series

Utilizing Social Media

Make smart, consistent use of whatever tools you have available to start using social media The true effectiveness of street movements is how they break through the mass media’s messages and make real people have real conversations. Don’t waste your time fighting with trolls, but instead look for opportunities to cultivate dialogue.

In my opinion, it’s better to master a few social networks rather than to push to be on them all. Anonymous has spread effectively onto Facebook, Twitter much to some dismay and beyond by playing to the strengths of each site. Pinterest may be the hottest new thing, but if all you’re going to do is cross-post links to your Facebook page then you might want to wait. Don’t overlook old fashioned methods like flyer-ing or street art. Devote your resources to the areas where you can focus and then see if you can build coalitions with existing activist networks elsewhere that can spread your message along with their own.

Social media is starting to help for protest in many ways. “Social media are tools that allow revolutionary groups to lower the costs of participation, organization, recruitment and training. But like any tool, social media have inherent weaknesses and strengths, and their effectiveness depends on how effectively individuals use them and how accessible they are to people who know how to use them to their advantage. 

Here are seven recommendations for engaging with the public using social media

1. Be Real

Don’t make citizens feel like they’re talking to a “brand.” Let your voice be personal. Look for moments when you’ve let your guard down and capture real day-in-the-life moments.

2. Be Relevant: Take advantage of a big national or local event.

3. Be Timely: Post and respond at the speed of social, particularly when managing real-time developments.

4. Be Engaging: Respond promptly to inquiries and tips, live stream and get involved. 

5. Be Proactive: During a crisis or a high-profile event, media will look anywhere they can for information. This is important to prevent from misinformation getting out online.

6. Don't Be Inclusive: Don’t limit your social media presence to groups you are comfortable with. Little gets done in an echo chamber. We must focus on reaching everyone. 

7. It is important to court the media and major alternatives by sending out press releases and cultivating relationships with sympathetic journalists. 

My personal favorites are The Fifth Column, FreeThought Project, AntiMedia, Daily Haze, DailySheeple, The Guardian and the Intercept. Wikileaks also for certain aspects

Editors Note: The Factual Dragnet is included by the writer. lulz. He's our brother....no worries. ~X~