Social Media Advocacy & Power Imbalances PDF

Equity is about fairness, making sure everyone has what they need to succeed, while institutional power refers to the control held by organizations or systems, often leading to inequality. Media bias occurs when news outlets or social media platforms present information in a way that supports a part...

Equity is about fairness, making sure everyone has what they need to succeed, while institutional power refers to the control held by organizations or systems, often leading to inequality. Media bias occurs when news outlets or social media platforms present information in a way that supports a particular point of view, often distorting reality. NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) play a huge role in addressing social issues by working independently from government bodies to promote change. Optical advocacy refers to actions that may seem helpful but are more about creating a good public image rather than bringing about real change. Privilege means having advantages based on aspects like race, wealth, or social status. Reconciliation focuses on healing and addressing past wrongs, particularly in the context of Indigenous communities. Social Media as a Tool for Media Advocacy: Social media is a powerful tool for activism and media advocacy. It allows for rapid sharing of information, organizing protests, and raising awareness for social issues like racial inequality, climate change, or gender justice. The positive side is its ability to bring global attention to local issues, like social injustices in Peel Region, Ontario, and connect people for collective action. However, the negative side is that misinformation can spread quickly, and online spaces can also be places of harassment or manipulation. Activism Evolution: Social media has changed activism by making it more accessible and widespread. What used to require physical spaces (like protests or letter-writing campaigns) can now be done online, with campaigns reaching millions instantly. Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter or #MeToo have shown how powerful social media can be in pushing for change. Types of Advocacy: ​ Letter-hand campaigns: Effective for formal petitions and reaching decision-makers. ​ Protests: They create a visible presence and can draw attention, but may not always result in immediate change. ​ Social media campaigns: Effective for quickly spreading messages and rallying people online. It’s great for awareness but sometimes lacks follow-through in real-world impact. ​ Galas: Raise funds for causes and awareness but can feel disconnected from grassroots efforts. ​ Sit-ins: A powerful form of direct protest that physically disrupts systems, but can also lead to tension with authorities. ​ Teach-ins: They educate people on issues, but only work if they attract the right audience. Which one is most effective depends on the issue and context. Protests and sit-ins have a strong history of pushing for immediate change, while social media campaigns have been growing in influence. Power Imbalances in the School System: Power imbalances in schools often show up in how resources are distributed, how certain groups (e.g., racial minorities or students with disabilities) are treated, and how voices in power influence decision-making. Social media has made it easier for students to expose these issues and organize for change, highlighting areas like discriminatory practices or unequal access to opportunities. In my opinion, the most effective advocacy is a combination of both digital and physical actions. Social media helps in spreading awareness, but tangible actions like protests or sit-ins show the real power of collective resistance.