Facebook as a Tool for Protest and Freedom of Expression

The internet is a modern medium for democracy – this is what is given to internet users as a privilege for the right to express themselves. This form of democracy cannot be evident in other agencies (in academic research paper, for instance).

Facebook.com, according to Marshall Kirkpatrick of ReadWriteWeb.com, shares 19% of social bookmarking usage, therefore making it the second most popular social bookmarking site (first of which is email - 30%).

Social Media in the Inc 500: ( Conducted By: Eric Mattson, Nora Ganim Barnes, Ph.D. )

* Social Media in the Inc. 500: The First Longitudinal Study (PDF)

* Social Media in the Inc. 500: The First Longitudinal Study (DOC)
 

Press Reactions:

* Smaller Firms Web Savvy (New York Times)

Facebook launched an app (short for 'application') called Causes. This app gives Facebook users equal opportunity to form a protest or a campaign, and solicit membership from other Facebook users.
 

According to Facebook, its most popular Cause is The Race to End Cancer, having more than 5 million members worldwide. Other causes include animal rights, gender, education, ending global warming, anti-violence, and politics.
 

The members of each Cause are given the chance to express their opinions regarding issues. Some causes even raise funds through donations. US President Barack Obama gained much popularity through the internet during his candidacy.
 

Many Facebook users gain awareness through campaigns and forums.
 

Causes has given ordinary people an equal opportunity to express and voice out their sentiments on issues. Materializing each Cause on the soonest time possible is not the primary goal; the main aim is to promote awareness, freedom of expression and activity among users.
 

The internet serves as a very powerful tool for information dissemination. Change may not happen today, but with many people aiming for it, it is possible tomorrow.
 

We are creating a group to provide more awareness about the power of the Internet for expression, we are being led by Lisa Cole a sociologist based in Montana, we met in Facebook and later on became good friends because of her Indian descent too. Lisa's thesis on social bookmarking sites prompted her professors to conduct research studies regarding socializing on the internet.

She obtained her Master's Degree in Sociology in December of 2008, and shortly after, she joined a research team in a university based on her hometown. More information about Lisa and the group will be posted after our next meeting next month. We are trying to cover as much web area as possible.