The past ten years or so have seen increased presence and acceptability of right ideologies within Western countries. This can greatly be attributed to media coverage and how journalists have portrayed right-wing politicians and their ideals. Consequently, we have seen far-right politicians becoming even more powerful than ever, leading their respective countries.
Throughout human history, art has always functioned as an instrument for social activism. From ancient cave paintings illustrating battles between different communities to modern graffiti echoing societal unrest, art has been a timeless conduit for expressing dissent, hope, and calls for change. Thanks to the rise of social media platforms, people nowadays have the opportunity to share their work with global audiences, transcending geographic boundaries and creating an interconnected artistic community.
In an era where governments worldwide are becoming increasingly hostile towards climate activists, digital platforms emerge as critical spaces for climate activists to champion the climate crisis. While digital platforms provide a number of opportunities to raise awareness, support organization and protest within the broader social movements, they also pose unique challenges for climate activists.
Since 2013, Mother Nature Cambodia has systematically and relentlessly exposed environmental damages caused by economic projects and the sellout of natural resources, often linked to the highest level of the Cambodian government. Through viral campaigns on Facebook, the organization galvanized and educated a broad base of young supporters. Mother Nature Cambodia’s investigative activism made the organization a target of intimidation, surveillance and persecution by the Cambodian regime.
African governments are good students of history as they still recall and do not underplay the role of online media in empowering the masses. They still remember how online conversations mobilised large parts of the population in Tunisia. Today, African governments have resorted to digital suppression to silence their nationals in times of protests and civil resistance.
Today, Myanmar ranks second after China in the list of the most repressive countries concerning internet freedom. But the digital development that already took place cannot be reversed, just like the drive, anger and creativity of a young generation deprived of freedom and aspirations cannot be broken.
Hello, is anybody listening? Can you hear us? Okay, great, you found us!
Welcome to our blog “Is anybody listening?”
