Understanding Video Activism on Social Media

Jens Eder teaches media studies, aesthetics and narrative theory at the Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Potsdam, Germany.Britta Hartmann teaches film studies and audiovisual media cultures at the University of Bonn, Germany. She is one of the founding editors of the journal Montage AV.Chris Tedjasukmana is professor of everyday media and digital cultures at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany.

'If you want to understand the power of video activism not just as a political tool but as a social force, please read this book. The authors manage to analyse in depth the historical, rhetorical, aesthetical and other aspects of video activism and how it is enmeshed in the distribution logic of social media. Due to its geopolitical scope combined with a broad analytical framework, Understanding Video Activism on Social Media is an eye-opener for students, scholars and activists alike.'

• List of Figures Acknowledgments Introduction: The Power of Video Activism  1. The Media Logics of Video Activism: Frames, Forms, and PlatformsPolitical Contexts and Frames of Video ActivismCommon Forms and Types of Activist VideosThe System of Social Media Platforms The Platform System in the Age of the Splinternet How to Outsmart Platforms: The Most Boring Viral Video  2. Trajectories of Video Activism: Past and Present Demanding Representation, Criticizing Capitalism Participation and a Voice of One’s Own Political Aesthetics The Role of Media Technology in the History of Video Activism Videos Everywhere: Between Empowerment and Disillusionment  3. The Impact of Political Videos: Attention, Affect, Action Pathways to Impact Competing for Attention, Overcoming Obstacles Image Wars in the Discourse on Migration Political Emotions and the Different Audiences of Activism  4. Activist Video Strategies: From Creation to Networking Video Aesthetics and Spreadability: A Variety of Effective Forms The Dynamics of Distribution: Networked Attention and Emergent NarrativesGeneral Video Strategies in the Climate Crisis Discourse A Case of Strategic Provocation: Rezo’s “Destruction of the CDU”  5. The Diversity of Video Activists: Practices and Communities Small Media Collectives: Committed and Counterpublic Influencer Networks: Hybrid and Hypervisible Large NGOs: Established and Evolving Hashtag Movements: Polyphonic and Unpredictable Embracing the Diversity of Video Activism  6. Video Activism and the Public Sphere: Creating Counterpublics Publics and Counterpublics Creating Counterpublics: The Case of Black Lives Matter Expanding the Democratic Public Sphere  7. Video Activism in Times of Upheaval: Toward Diversity in SolidarityVideo Activism at War: Changing Contexts, Shifting Roles Video Activism Under Pressure A Plea for Diversity in Solidarity  Notes Media References Bibliography