Understanding Video Activism on Social Media
Britta Hartmann author Jens Eder author Chris Tedjasukmana author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Intellect
Publishing:11th Apr '25
£34.95
This title is due to be published on 11th April, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

What political power do videos on social media have? In what ways do they exert influence, shape publics and change political life? And how can committed civil society actors in this field assert themselves against hegemonic discourses, commercial interests, anti-democratic agitation, and authoritarian propaganda? These questions are being debated intensely as social media increasingly dominate global information flows, and videos increasingly dominate social media.
Understanding video activism seems particularly relevant at a time when the internet is undergoing fundamental disruptions. The forms, practices, and opportunities of activism depend on its media environment, which now is changing rapidly and profoundly in terms of its technological basis, ownership, legal regulations, and governmental control.
'If you want to understand the power of video activism not just as a political tool but as a social force, please read this book. The authors manage to analyze in depth the historical, rhetorical, aesthetical, and other aspects of video activism and how it is enmeshed in the distribution logic of social media. Due to its geopolitical scope combined with a broad analytical framework, Understanding Video Activism on Social Media is an eye-opener for students, scholars, and activists alike.'
'This rich analysis of video activism shows how activists use video production and platform technologies to create often impressive public engagement for their causes. The authors examine an intriguing variety of cases that reveal the challenges and opportunities facing movements in increasingly noisy communication environments. In addition, the book places video activism in the larger contests of platforms, power, and geopolitics. Students of social movements, democracy, and media will find this a valuable resource that changes how we think about activist communication.'
-- W. Lance Bennett, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Journalism, Media & Democracy; Emeritus Professor of Political Science and Communication, University of Washington'This book offers a thorough and engaging review of the changing contexts, practices and forms of video activism. It is alert to shifts in technology and aesthetics as well as to changing modes of access and engagement, framing these within broader political and economic factors. Clear and provocative, it will refresh and stimulate the debate about what media 'activism' now means and what it could mean in the settings of both vigorous platform capitalism and increasing tendencies to authoritarian restriction.'
-- John Corner, Visiting Professor in Media and Communication, University of Leeds; Emeritus Professor, University of Liverpool; Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts'This book offers valuable insights into the evolving role of video in activism. The authors discuss video activism across various time periods and media forms, from documentary films to TikTok videos. They provide a unique perspective on the continuity and specificities in how videos are deployed to champion causes and mobilize collective action. By incorporating relevant concepts and theories, the authors enrich the discussion with a strong analytical framework. Rich with both historical and contemporary case examples, this book will be a useful resource for media communication scholars and students.'
-- Jing Zeng, Professor of Computational Social and Communication Science, University of ZuISBN: 9781835950838
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
234 pages