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"The New Media Landscape"
In 2004, Ukraine controlled the majority of major media outlets. Yulia McGuffie and Vitaly Sych were told to begin reporting exactly what was told to them or be fired, they resigned. They began to actively support protests on Facebook, reporting and announcing events beforehand, as two prominent journalists they were immensely compelling messengers. Several of their posts and words were shared many times and discussed and read widely. They often issued rallying calls (Satell, 2014). -
"Tunisian Revolution"
Tunisian vegetable vendor and 26-year-old set himself, after police had stolen produce from him, on fire. The young mans suicide triggered a revolution amongst his home country, spreading across and over the Arab world. With the young man as their example and role model, young Tunisians started to organize on Twitter and Facebook protesting and arguing the oppressive regime regarding the country's President of 23-years Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Fox, 2011). -
"The Heinous Case of Oksana Makar"
In 2012, a young woman, Oksana Makar, was gang raped, scorched alive and left to die. Somehow through it all she survived and was able to name her attackers. Oksana's mother got on the web and uploaded a video portraying her heavily sedated daughter with her amputated limbs. Following the video, another was leaked from one of the attackers with his shocking confession. Both videos went viral, kindled outrage and protests arose (Satell, 2014). -
"#BlackLivesMatter"
At the end of 2014, tales of unrest regarding brutality from the police in Ferguson, along with other areas of the country, led to a large outcry on digital and social media. The deaths of Laquan McDonald, Freddie Gray and Sandra Bland gave the movement increased momentum. The Tweet #BlackLivesMatter was posted 9 million times that year, as it became " a social calling card" both for racial equality activists and social justice across the U.S. (Morrison, 2015). -
"Passenger dragged off overbooked United flight"
In 2017, we see the horrifying footage that several passengers recorded on their phones, posted all over social media, as a man was dragged off of a United airlines flight. Three security officers dragged the man off the plane while passengers shouted in protest, the screams & bloody face of the man was very traumatic for all involved. The video spread, sparked criticism for involuntary de-boarding situations, with individuals pledging to boycott United airline (Zdanowicz & Grinberg, 2018). -
"Teen who wore traditional Chinese dress to prom sparks fury on social media"
Keziah Daum, Utah teen, selected her prom dress, a traditional Chinese dress. The dress caused a stir and uproar on digital and social media sites, accusing the girl of cultural appropriation. Her photos on Twitter created much controversy. One individual tweeted back, "My culture is not your goddamn prom dress." The tweets sparked conversation concerning cultural appropriation regarding fashion. The young girl responded by stating she meant no disrespect, simply appreciation (Murray, 2018). -
"Melania Trump's jacket choice"
Melania Trump arrived in Texas to speak to officials and young children at a shelter specifically for migrant children. Moments after the tour began, pictures and photos started to circulate online and through social media with her jacket that read "I REALLT DON'T CARE, DO U?" The outrage was instant. President Trump explains that the jacket was directed towards the news media tweeting " 'I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO U?" written on the back of Melania's jacket, refers to the Fake News Media..." -
"Starbuck race scandal"
In a recent article by Jessica Wohl, we are informed of the arrest of two men April 12, at the Starbucks shop in Philadelphia. The police were called when two men were in the store waiting but had not purchased anything. The individuals arrested were two black males. The video went viral on social media as controversy and protests arose and Starbucks had to take action by taking one day to close all their stores and train their employees on racial-bias education (Wohl, 2018).
