Jihad's Digital Activists

Mary — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 02:36:26 -0300

image from a terror-promoting web site celebrating the attack in Kenya in 1998

I'm wary of even discussing this topic. I need to begin by saying that this post in no way advocates terrorism or violence of any kind. Terrorism and war and hatred make me sick and sad. Rather, this article is an analysis of how Islamic terrorists are incredibly effective at using the Internet to active their strategic aims while traditional NGOs lag behind. It is about implications.

An article in the New York Times today, An Internet Jihad Aims at US Viewers, inspired me to finally

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Digital Activism Examples

Mary — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:48:01 -0400

In the interest of defining what exactly grassroots digital activism is, I thought I'd create a list of some examples of grassroots digital campaigns. I'll be updating the list, so please send me your examples through the comments section.

Nosamo (2000-present): This is the fan club of Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun (the group's name means "those who love Roh"). The independent volunteer organization used a website and digital organizing techniques to support the progressive campaign of Roh, who won the 2002 is a huge upset. They are like Deaniacs except they also drafted their candidate by convincing him to

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Chinese and Egyptian internet activists unite

Mary — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:00:10 -0400

In 2003, four young Chinese men were handed out prison sentences due to their participation in the online forum New Youth Study Group, which discussed ways in which China might advance and prosper. They were charged with subverting state power and given sentences of between 8 and 10 years. Friends of these young men started the New Youth 4 group to try to get their friends out of prison.

Across the world, something was happening that New Youth 4 coordinator thought could have a direct effect on what he was doing in China. In February 2007, the Egyptian blogger Kareem

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