Facebook, twitter, linkendin, hi5, orkut are all very well-known internet sites, that we use quite often. These forms of social media are not only a realm of the geeks but has now started to play a very important role in every field, medicine or human rights. Working for a human rights organisation, one might think less of the importance of social media, we are wrong. Social media has now become one of the tools for development. Here are some examples:

Blogs that are written by Tibetans living outside of Tibet and China are more out-reached that most newspapers, such as ‘Tibet will be Free’. My Iranian friends who do not have the right to speak their mind, write blogs to practice their rights outside and inside of Iran. Amnesty International has a fantastic network of blogger (both outsiders and insiders) that use social media to gather opinions.
These days mobile phones used to upload videos and pictures speak louder than the press.

Social media has become voice of the voiceless, rights of those who are denied freedom of expression, a source of information and lets not forget a way to bring friends and families closer!

Every organisation is bringing reform to their ‘communications department’ or IT department or making new social media departments. It is now being included as a tool to raise and spread awareness. It is a part of the free of expression and information movement via social media.