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Digital Activism in Canada refers to the form of activism in Canada that primarily takes place online for the purpose of social and political action. The traditional form of activism in newspaper headlines and talk show interviews have been replaced by new mediums in social media and the internet. Modern technological infrastructure allows many groups of people to connect with one another, exchange information and take part in political movements.[1] The advent of technology provides Canadians with the option of a new platform to debate social and political issues.
Timeline
In the past old media activism was successful in fighting for social issues. In 1970 for example, several women marched with other women, from Vancouver to Ottawa, for the right to legal abortion. Although the protest march in 1970 was what characterize the history of abortion activism, virtual activism has revolutionized how abortion is perceived.[2] The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada is now the pro-choice group that is devoted to ensuring the rights to abortion. [3]
Through research proposes that the internet will provide the mobilization and communication efforts of activists groups. Social media can be seen as tools for enhancing activism in three different ways: facilitate feedback engagement, increase outreach efforts, and speeding up communication.[4] Technology has revolutionized the efficiency of activism in Canada. More people are able to educate themselves about the movements and also are able to join them due to the efficiency of digital activism.
Special Events
There have been many significant events that coincide with digital activism in Canada. From the use of social media to using online websites for campaigns, online activism has taken a leap into a new form of activism.
Hashtag Activism
One of the most recent events that is significant is the use of hashtag activism. By using social media hashtag activism allows the activism to reach a global level. One of the most substantial events that took place in Canada is the Idle No More hashtag movement. Idle No More is a movement for indigenous sovereignty and rights. The role of Twitter has been crucial as hashtags have been commonly used on the website since it first launched hashtags in 2007. For several people outside the communication medium, Twitter is just another app that allows people to connect with one another. However, Twitter has a great power in that it can connect people around the world. The Idle No More hashtag did not just trend in Canada when it started. It reached several other countries around the world as well. [5]
The point of hashtag activism is that it informs and educates the public on advocacy events that take place. The hashtag allows people all over the world to connect. So people in a different continent are not restricted from accessing which movements are taking place in Canada. The Indigenous community has been protesting for several years; however, their protest never made it to such a high level. The hashtag #IdleNoMore allowed them to voice their demands on a global scale. The distinction between traditional and online activism is evident in how the message is spread across a national, as opposed to an international region.
Reference List
- ^ Sivitanides, Marcos; Shah, Vivek (2011). "The Era of Digital Activism". Conference for Information Systems Applied Research. 4 (1842).
- ^ McTavish, Liane. "Virtual Activism and the Pro-Choice Movement in Canada". Canadian Woman Studies. 25 (3).
- ^ "Welcome to the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada". Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- ^ Obar, Jonathan (22 April 2013). "Canadian Advocacy 2.0: An Analysis of Social Media Adoption and Perceived Affordances by Advocacy Groups Looking to Advance Activism in Canada". Canadian Journal of Communication. 39 (2): 211-233.
- ^ Moscato, Derek (2016). "Media Portrayals of Hashtag Activism: A Framing Analysis of Canada 's #Idlenomore Movement". Media and Communication. 4 (2): 3-12.