-
Presidential Election
Twitter had never existed in any campaign before the 2008 presidential election, where it was successfully integrated into President Obama's campaign. Although voting has traditionally been regarded as a private decision, millions took to social media to openly express their political approval or contempt. 74% of internet users went online during the election to take part in, or get news and information about the 2008 campaign. They also shared their voting experience. -
Copiapó Mining Accident
As soon as news broke of the Chilean miners' rescue, so did television and online records. Social media buzz peaked at approximately 104,000 tweets per hour. Twitter coverage of the mine rescue in Chile was coordinated through the #rescatemineros hashtag. The event transformed from a crisis event to a more organized media event as it gradually unfolded. -
Euromaidan: Ukrainian Revolution
The protests were sparked by the Ukrainian government's decision to suspend the signing of an association agreement with the European Union. There were tweets by journalists and activists that brought hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians out into the streets. About 49% of people learned about the protests from Facebook. -
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
When labor organizer, Alicia Garza, responded on Facebook to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the man who gunned down Trayvon Martin, the hashtag began. Groups, organizations, and individuals use it to amplify anti-Black racism across the country, in all the ways it shows up. The new civil rights movement combines local power structures with an inclusive ethos that consciously incorporates women and LGBT activists. Facebook and Twitter are the main platforms. -
Venezuela Protests
Anti-government demonstrators have staged daily protests across Venezuela that continue to devolve into violent clashes with riot police. A Venezuelan journalist student, turned his university thesis into an independent digital media platform with 70k+ Instagram followers. Venezuelans primarily use social media to access political news, mobilize protests, expose government corruption and human rights violations and to know what’s going on in the country.
