{"id":390,"date":"2023-10-17T11:31:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T11:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpmu.mau.se\/nmict23group5\/?p=390"},"modified":"2023-10-26T12:54:34","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T12:54:34","slug":"mother-nature-cambodia-the-right-livelihoods-award-and-why-facebook-still-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpmu.mau.se\/nmict23group5\/2023\/10\/17\/mother-nature-cambodia-the-right-livelihoods-award-and-why-facebook-still-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Mother Nature Cambodia, the Right Livelihood Award and why Facebook still matters"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\r\n\n

My last post<\/a> dealt with the tightened digital space in Myanmar. Myanmar may be a severe example of physical and online repression, but it is by far not the only one. The Myanmar regime has obtained knowledge<\/a> and technology<\/a> from China, the country with the greatest extent of online repression in the world and a large exporter<\/a> of surveillance technology to many authoritarian regimes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another South-East Asian state ruled by an autocratic regime with tight links to China<\/a> is Cambodia. Mother Nature Cambodia<\/a> is an organization of young environmental activists that has, time and again, proven to be a real pain for the Cambodian long-term ruler Hung Sen and, since recently, his succeeding son, Hun Manet.  On 28 September 2023, Mother Nature Cambodia was announced as one of the laureates of this year\u2019s Right Livelihood Award<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

For their fearless and engaging activism to preserve Cambodia\u2019s natural environment in the context of a highly restricted democratic space.<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\nRight Livelihood<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What does Mother Nature Cambodia do?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, the organization galvanized and educated a broad base of young supporters. Mother Nature Cambodia\u2019s investigative activism made the organization a target of intimidation, surveillance and persecution by the Cambodian regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/div>
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
<\/div>
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Why is this award important?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

A prestigious award like the Right Livelihood Award can, at least for a day, shine a global light on unknown local activists who fight an uphill battle. Several members of Mother Nature Cambodia were imprisoned for exposing environmental destruction caused by a corrupt government and educating their citizens on good environmental practices. This matters globally. From Brazil<\/a> to Romania<\/a>, environmental activists are subject to increasing repression and violence<\/a>, while the planet is on fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being awarded gives the activists of Mother Nature Cambodia the recognition and the Cambodian regime the embarrassment that they deserve. At the same time, global attention to local activists increases their profile, which can pose additional risks for them. The Cambodian authorities have barred three activists<\/a> of Mother Nature Cambodia from leaving the country to attend the award ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is interesting about Mother Nature Cambodia with regard to new media?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The organization has been using video as their primary communication tool. Not fancy Instagram reels or quirky TikToks but traditional, slow-paced, raw and imperfect videos. But the passion comes through, and even when reading subtitles, it is clear that the activists at Mother Nature Cambodia know how to get their messages across to their citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The videos of Mother Nature Cambodia also demonstrate that Facebook still rules online communication in many parts of the world<\/a>. The plays of Mother Nature Cambodia\u2019s videos on YouTube are marginal, but their numbers of plays and reshares on Facebook are tremendous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/div>
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 1,4 million views on Facebook, this is Mother Nature Cambodia’s best-performing video<\/mark><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n