Rising Voices Supports Online Media Activists

The miserable situation in Burma, where the shut down of the Internet was a major blow to pro-democracy advocates, has made me think recently about the importance of helping people around the world join the global online conversation. While people who live in the most repressive regimes are still having a difficult time, projects like Rising Voices (a part of Global Voices Online) are helping to support media activists around the world. Under the direction of my colleague David Sasaki, Rising Voices has drawn in applications globally and supported fascinating projects ranging from organizing workers in Columbia, to bringing female voices to the Dhaka (Bangladesh) blogosphere. I played a peripheral role in ensuring this project is helpful to media activists who are exploring this space. If you visit the Rising Voices wiki, you can brainstorm your own ideas by viewing past applications on topics ranging from HIV/AIDS to conservation to conflict blogging.