Even though the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is 60 years old, the rights it enumerates remain out of reach in many nations. When the declaration was adopted, the world was still reeling from the magnitude of the Nazi atrocities, the full scope of which did not come to light until after World War II.
Hiding has been an effective strategy for other abusers. Despite widespread support for the declaration, violations continue around the world in repressive regimes that, until recently, were able to hide the true extent of their crimes. But in the age of new media, hiding is getting a lot more difficult.
The YouTube blog “Broadcasting Ourselves” cites how organizations are using video to document human rights abuses, raise awareness and promote change.
“Video continues to serve as a powerful tool to expose incidents that threaten the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And while it may be impossible to end human rights abuses everywhere, we can be grateful that there are citizens armed with cameras who help bring these abuses to light,” blogs Ramya R. of YouTube Nonprofits & Activism group.
But it’s not all about video. A question posted today on WITNESS underscores the power of pictures by asking the question “What Image Opened Your Eyes to Human Rights.?”
Other new media giving voice to the previously voiceless include cell phones, blogging and social networking.
Ultimately, 21st-century technology might be the key to realizing a promise six decades old and making the Universal Declaration truly universal. Your thoughts?
Comments (2)
John C. Erianne
27 December 2008 at 01:16 EST
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While I suspect you are correct that new media technology will make it more difficult for human rights abusers to hide their crimes, there is a flip-side:
That same technology will also impinge on our rights in many ways as much as it may protect us. Our growing dependence on this technology is making it easier for us to surrender our right to privacy. By allowing prying eyes into our lives, we are slowly destroying the idea of privacy.
Also, new media technology makes it easier to manipulate our perception of reality — the truth can be spun, edited and reformed, thereby blurring the lines between fact and fiction.
If we are not careful, all that is good about new media may finally become a Kafkaesque nightmare of injustice.
Jane Dean
19 January 2009 at 02:07 EST
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I believe that 21st-century technology might indeed be the key. Social media, from blogs to You Tube to Facebook to Twitter, are very much able to create a viral spread of information. And I believe it is with this dissmination of information that we will see changes. Look at what happened during this past election. It was through Barrack Obama’s use of social media that he was able to get his message out. Thanks for your post!