Cowbird is an audio-video diary tool that enables users to create and store an audio-visual diary of their life, as well as collaborate with others in the storytelling process. By documenting the simple human stories behind major news events, Cowbird aims to pioneer a new approach to participatory journalism.

This guide looks at how to live tweet a rally, protest or event. 

As much as twitter is a tool to create a following in your cause, the following guide specifically looks at live tweeting for activist. It explores 

What is live tweeting?

Why is it important? 

How to tweet on the go?

Tips for effective tweeting

Live what?

FixMyStreet Georgia is a website that allows Tbilisi residents to report instances of road disrepair directly to City Hall. The project's aim is to encourage open communication between Tbilisi residents and the city's administration on local issues.

The FixMyStreet Georgia platform provides residents with a city map on which they can highlight particular areas of concern. Furthermore, the website allows users to document any additional details on the problem. Upon the online filing of a report, FixMyStreet Georgia will forward the work order on to Tbilisi City Hall.

While similar initiatives already exist in Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom, this project remains the first of its kind in the former Soviet Union.

http://chemikucha.ge/

At any given moment, updates are flooding social media channels. In the face of this infinite influx of updates, Storify empowers users to curate this information mass into memorable stories. By facilitating the curation of social media content, Storify enables users to create their own stories.

Storify's platform works by allowing users to choose a topic, and search in multiple social media channels for corresponding story elements. Next, users are able to individually select and organize the content in order to personalize their story.

http://storify.com/

Introduction

This guide is designed to introduce activists to blogging.

Overview

In 2002, few recognized the potential of blogs as a journalistic medium. In recent years, however, this mentality has shifted entirely. Today, bloggers command prominence and recognition as journalists. Moreover, in some regions, blogs are considered to be more credible information sources than state-run news agencies. In light of this, today’s blogosphere remains an invaluable forum for the activist community. Issue-based blogs unite like-mined individuals, and such connectivity helps to establish support networks for any given cause.
 
 

Considerations

In January 2011, Al Jazeera launched its WikiLeaks-inspired Al Jazeera Transparency Unit (AJTU). The aim of the AJTU initiative is to promote tranparency in government and corporate practices.

Essentially, AJTU encourages whistleblowers to anonymously submit content for review by Al Jazeera's editorial department. Content submitted for evaluation may include documents, photography, audio and video clips, etc. Submissions deemed to be of merit may be featured on Al Jazeera broadcasts.

http://www.ajtransparency.com/

Unlike mainstream comic strips, 'grassroots' comics are often linked to activist organizations, movements, and social change campaigns. Interestingly, in order to engage local populations, topics for the cartoons tend to be confined to local issues and feature the work of local artists.

The circulation and public posting of such comics is intended to encourage support for a particular social change campaign. The belief is that authentic, visual storytelling is an effective way to stimulate debate on a contentious local issue. 

As an activist campaigning tool, the use of 'grassroots' comics is a relatively new phenomenon. To date, such movements have been piloted in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, etc.

Since its 2005 founding, Global Voices has existed as an online community of bloggers and translators from around the world.  By leveraging the power of citizen media, Global Voices aims to tackle issues not covered by the mainstream media.

http://globalvoicesonline.org/

In May 2011, The Wall Street Journal unveiled SafeHouse. The WikiLeaks-inspired service allows potential whistleblowers to share information with the WSJ. 


https://www.wsjsafehouse.com/