IOE - UCL's Faculty of Education and Society’s Post

Theories of democracy generally value citizen activism as an essential component of a healthy democratic system. Hence, people engage in protests, participate in signature campaigns, and contribute to online and offline public discourse. What happens, however, if instead of individuals, institutions or branches of government engage in activism? Consider courts, for instance. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gF34BMFc

Did you know that? Political protests are collective actions undertaken by individuals or groups to express dissent, demand political change, or advocate for specific social, economic, or environmental causes. See the first comment to order your book now! #thisboysprotest #haroldspradling #politicalbeliefs #politicsandreligion #politics #politicalart #bestsellerbooks #books

🚨 New blog for the ISPP. Amidst global attacks on the right to protest, I draw on my doctoral research to defend its value - not merely as the expression of dissent but as crucial to exploring and prefiguring alternative worlds.

From strengthening economic ties to student protests against policy changes and the launch of a Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project, explore the latest global news in this week's 'Far And Wide' newsletter Read more:  https://lnkd.in/g3TVUtpV #GlobalNews #Economy #Business #PrimusPartnersIndia

Polls in my opinion reflect a combination of a way to voice one's frustration of the moment, wishful thinking for problems to just go away, and not reliably firmly held and well considered beliefs, not to mention well-informed beliefs. I've answered polls and I admit to this accusation. Not to say polls don't provide some insight and a pulse. Policy makers should not necessarily be led by polls, perhaps more reflect a balance of social good and individual rights, a fine balance no doubt. Hence, read polls with a grain of salt, and some healthy dose of skepticism. People's opinions change like the daily weather. I would prefer to see more in-depth study on these important issues than flighty polls. https://lnkd.in/gbDamVMi

Reporting the Nigerian Protest: Can Media Stay Neutral? The ongoing Nigerian protests have brought this question to the forefront of my mind. Can we, as media professionals, truly stay neutral in the face of injustice? A lot of journalists are constantly wrestling with the delicate balance between reporting the facts and taking a stand. On one hand, our role is to report the facts, without bias or agenda. We must seek out diverse perspectives, fact-check, and study the narrative to provide a broad understanding of the situation. On the other hand, neutrality can be perceived as collaboration. When we fail to take a stand against oppression, are we not indirectly condoning it? The Nigerian protests are a cry for justice, equality, and human rights. Can we afford to remain neutral in the face of such a critical moment in history? I believe that neutrality doesn't mean moral equality. We can report the facts while still acknowledging the inherent injustices. We can amplify the voices of the excluded without compromising our integrity. So, I ask you: Can media stay neutral in times of social unrest? Should we? Is it our responsibility to take a stand, or do we risk compromising our objectivity? Share your thoughts. #iAmPDAVE #MultimediaDesignStrategist # BroadcastJournalist

The anti-Israel, pro-Hamas propagandists would like you to believe that theirs is a spontaneous, #organic, #community-based effort, one that is entirely funded by regular folks. Oh, and this: they want to reassure you that their advocacy isn’t against Jews but against Zionists. They are, in fact, one of the best-#organized, best-#run, best-#funded propaganda efforts that many political people have seen in a long, long time. Former Republican strategist (and, full disclosure, friend) David Frum has said that “#Iran, #China and #Russia have made large #investments in anti-Israel, pro-Hamas messaging.” And that propaganda, Frum says, is too often working — particularly with #young people. And it’s not — not — #grassroots. Take, for example, the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights’ “City #Council Palestine Organizing #Toolkit,” recently leaked to this writer. The multi-page “toolkit” is one of the most professional-looking (and sounding) lobby and #PR blueprints I have ever seen. Essentially, the document is a secret “guide on organizing for ceasefire resolutions in local city councils.” Here is what it contains: — Draft anti-Israel resolutions for city councils to pass — A media guide on how to manipulate news coverage — Guides for calling and emailing voters to apply pressure on city councillors — Maps on how to increase “grassroots advocacy capacity with digital tools, such as mass mailers, text alert systems, etc.” — How to host “weeks of action” to paralyze cities and towns which do not comply — How to “create narratives” that “ending genocide is a moral issue” — How to track votes — Talking points, graphics and leave-behind documents And on and on. The “toolkit” gives the anti-Israel forces tips on how to #manipulate their #online presence — so that it will be harder for politicians and their staff to learn more about their backgrounds. In particular, the secret plan describes how to effectively #bully reluctant politicians into submission — or, if they are resolute, how to #isolate them. And make no mistake: the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (#USCPR) is no grassroots group. It has a multi-million-dollar #budget, a website that is better-looking than just about any professional political party, scores of full-time staff, field organizers, plus steering committees and advisory boards aplenty. The USPCR regularly accuses Israel of “apartheid,” “ethnic cleansing,” “genocide,” “war crimes,” and “colonialism.” It promotes anti-Israel “Boycott, Divestment and Sanction” efforts, going after companies from "Ben and Jerry’s" to Airbnb . Most seriously, USCPR helps fund the Palestinian BDS National #Committee — which shares #members with Hamas. Warren Kinsella

🚨 New Blog Alert! 🔈 Dive into "The Power of Protest: Reimagining Democracy through Prefigurative Politics" by David Clarke. 🔍 Explore the transformative role of protest in shaping alternative futures and rebuilding democracy. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eZuYJQKw

Reporting the Nigerian Protest: Can Media Stay Neutral? The ongoing Nigerian protests have brought this question to the forefront of my mind. Can we, as media professionals, truly stay neutral in the face of injustice? A lot of journalists are constantly wrestling with the delicate balance between reporting the facts and taking a stand. On one hand, our role is to report the facts, without bias or agenda. We must seek out diverse perspectives, fact-check, and study the narrative to provide a broad understanding of the situation. On the other hand, neutrality can be perceived as collaboration. When we fail to take a stand against oppression, are we not indirectly condoning it? The Nigerian protests are a cry for justice, equality, and human rights. Can we afford to remain neutral in the face of such a critical moment in history? I believe that neutrality doesn't mean moral equality. We can report the facts while still acknowledging the inherent injustices. We can amplify the voices of the excluded without compromising our integrity. So, I ask you: Can media stay neutral in times of social unrest? Should we? Is it our responsibility to take a stand, or do we risk compromising our objectivity? Share your thoughts. #iAmPDAVE #MultimediaDesignStrategist # BroadcastJournalist #endbadgoverance

Key factors to watch include how the junta handles increased political discourse and media freedom.