Basic overview of WITNESS (http://www.witness.org) and our 'video advocacy' methodology. Originally shared for a discussion called "Internet and 21st Century Social Revolutions" (http://http://www.internetandsocialrevolutions.com/) in Madrid, April 5, 2011.
The focus of this presentation is on the widespread use and increasing ubiquity of video, its use by activists and the attendant opportunities (easier access to camera technology and distribution methods) and risks (to safety and security by those taking video as well as those who appear in the images).
WITNESS practices “video advocacy” – the use of video to promote and protect human rights. We define this as using video for an objective or goal, not about an issue.
This presentation will focus mostly on an increase in attention to safety and security as video becomes more and more ubiquitous and is used by a wide range of activists, both seasoned and those who find themselves at the front lines of events as they unfold.
A still from footage shot by George Holliday – of Rodney King being beaten by Los Angeles Police Department officers - on an early model of a consumer video camera in 1991. The footage catalyzed a new generation of ‘citizen journalism.’ One year later, in 1992, WITNESS was founded- by musician and activist Peter Gabriel and others. More information here: http://www.witness.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=78
Ubiquity of technology (cheap cameras, mobile phones) has led to an increase in media production. Combined with lower barriers to entry for distribution (e.g. via YouTube).
Images taken by protestors during Burma’s 2007 “Saffron Revolution” were later used by SPDC officials and police to identify some protestors leading to their arrest and imprisonment.
2009 Iran – while people were twittering and changing theirFacebookicons green, Iranian intelligence and security forces was using it’s web site to crowd source the identities of protestors.http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/27/iranian-officials-crowd-source-protester-identities-online/