1. Bert Hoffmann
On-line Activism in Latin America
Forum Online Activism to Offline Action.
Digital Media and Democratic Space
29th to 31st October 2012

2. Circumventing Media Monopolies
1994 Zapatistas: First “Internet Guerilla“
30.10.2012 2

3. But long-term success…
…depends on many factors:
• off-line action
• multiple media use
• political message / context
• alliances
• passing from protest to
working the political process
04.12.12 3

4. From off-line action to on-line
„slacktivism“?
Protest against Belo Monte dam (Brazil)
30.10.2012 4

5. On-line plus Off-line: Brazil‘s “Ficha
Limpa“ campain
• 2009: Brazilian Movement against Electoral Corruption
(MCCE)
• But why should corrupt legislators vote for anti-corruption
law?
• Social networks + videos + e-petitions + offline actions +
traditional media = success (Breuer/ Farooq 2012)
• June 2010: President Lula da Silva signs law after
unanimous approval by Congress
à Potential to motivate politically less interested citizens
à Transfer of online activism in offline action
30.10.2012 5

6. Watchdog Function
2009 Mexico: “Cuidemos el Voto“
2010 Venezuela: “Elección Ciudadana“
• Social Issues
„Aquí estoy“: an application for mobile phones to
report on child labour (Colombia)
30.10.2012 6

7. Organizing without Organization
• e.g. Argentina: Mobilisation against Kirchner
04.12.12 7

8. Citizen Journalism
2011 BOB for Reporters without Borders by Jury
to Judith Torrea (Mexico)
30.10.2012 8