To cite just one example, climate change action group Avaaz recently used the internet to strengthen a campaign initiative. In March, Avaaz—an online community with membership of roughly 1 million—delivered a petition with 100,000 signatures to environment ministers of the world’s most-polluting countries. The group claims that its efforts were instrumental in securing a pledge from Germany’s environment minister and German chancellor Angela Merkel to place climate change at the top of the agenda for the G8 leaders’ summit in June 2007—a pledge that was upheld.

The fact that the internet is becoming more easily accessible worldwide means that online opposition is no longer restricted to the ‘developed’ world. In Chile, for instance, activists challenged the new Transantiago transportation policy on the popular (6 million members) 3D online environment, Second Life. During their virtual protest Second Life avatars burned Transantiago buses in front of government buildings and wore specially printed t-shirts—while others simply undressed. What was really remarkable, however, was a restrained police response, as opposed to the tear gas or violence that is commonly used against Chilean demonstrators. Nor was there any environmental damage caused by protesters. And while nothing has yet emerged in terms of tangible policy, the protest garnered plenty of media coverage, which in turn has caught the authorities’ attention.

So what is it exactly that’s drawing campaigners and protestors into cyberspace? Simply put, the internet offers a means to rapidly recruit and mobilise large numbers of supporters. Virtual campaigns are also cost-effective to mobilise and offer a means of convenient response.

Others, however, are more guarded in their enthusiasm for online campaigning. “There’s little doubt that e-activism is powerful, and garnering attention, but it would be a shame if we start to use the simple signing of an electronic petition as an excuse for not doing more,” says Todd Schenk, a project manager within the REC’s NGO support programme. “To this end, it can’t replace traditional activist approaches like protesting or meeting face to face.”

Governments at least have begun to take note of the online community, and are inviting more and more virtual responses to proposed policies, projects and programmes. But with regard to online protests (including ever-increasingly popular blogs), the question we may find ourselves asking is: How long before governments begin policing cyberspace? Am freedom of internet expression through its ‘irrepressible.info’ campaign.

In terms of the BBC campaign, the seizure and control of Gaza City by Hamas was probably the key to Alan Johnston’s release; nevertheless, the constant media attention helped to bolster support for the online petition, which was undoubtedly a contributing factor. And that in turn demonstrates the huge importance of the media, alongside street campaigns and real signatures.

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