Blog 4: How is Moviment Graffiti’s online activism affecting the voice within Maltese politics in relation to the local construction bedlam? A continuation
This blog is a project for Study Unit MCS3953, University of Malta
When exploring the power and limitations of social media as a platform for protesting against social injustice on a general note, it is also beneficial to understand how this is reflected on a smaller scale, specifically on a local level where we are being personally and socially affected by our right to protest and the results following social unrest and vocalisation of dissatisfaction with the way things are unfolding.
In my interview with Wayne, we looked at this through the way the local political authorities and the community respond to online activism in relation to the local construction bedlam.
How have politicians and the country’s leaders reacted to Moviment Graffiti’s online messages during this time?
In terms of the reaction from the main stakeholder, the Malta Developers Association, Wayne said that he is torn on what to believe.
“They surely follow what we say, but unfortunately enough they don’t come up with strong counter arguments or narratives. It could be the case of them ignoring what we’re saying but we had cases where someone from MDA called us to argue about something we wrote online. This proves the point that they are actually reading what we’re writing. They surely are attentive.”
And how are cabinet members treating Moviment Graffitti’s online content?
“I think there are two/three people who are aware of what we say. But cabinet members are not what we actually consider a target. Yet, direct reactions? Never.”
This leaves a lot to be questioned when major social issues being voiced at the public level through organisations like Moviment Graffiti are blatantly ignored by the higher echelons of public leadership.
Does the opposing party participate more in a digital debate rather than in a traditional discussion, or vice-versa?
“No, opposing parties like the construction lobby have many outlets which they can use; they had their own airtime on TVM, they have money to organise conference, seminars and organise huge echo chambers with Ministers, consultants, real estate agents and landlords. To be fair, I started to see a different narrative in terms of wording in both traditional and digital media.”
For Moviment Graffiti, social media is more of an opportunity to spread the message rather than having a debate online.
Are members of the local activist lobby more willing to participate in a digital campaign?
“From experience, I think our members are more inclined towards more physical, traditional activism. Unfortunately, this year we’ve missed actions, protests. When compared to traditional activism, I don’t think people are eager to participate.”
What is missing in social media activism which is fulfilled by physical protesting?
Wayne is adamant that a digital campaign will not motivate people enough. “The physical element is missing. Posting on social media is something, but camping in front of the Planning Authority is surely different. In fact, one of our targets, the Fuel Policy Reform was achieved through traditional activism. That reform would not have happened with digital activism only. Only complaining on Facebook wouldn’t have worked.”
Do you think that being just behind a screen, writing your opinion is easier and to a certain extent safer for a not-so courageous activist?
Wayne draws on an example from our recent national story to illustrate his point on this. “No. In our country, just writing a blog led to an assisnation of one of our journalists. [Daphne] Caruana Galizia was killed because of what she wrote and was about to write. Not exactly activism but part fact and part opinion.”
In Moviment Graffiti’s case, there’s also the aspect of libel to consider — “we’re still exposed to libel, even though we also took responsibility for what we’ve written. But the counter party can still make a libel even though you’re still after a screen.”
This is also reflected in the organisation’s culture, namely the courage to engage in controversial discussion when and where it is necessary, despite the very real consequences experienced by its lobby. Wayne says that “Moviment Graffitti’s culture is not fear or safety. If we want to say something, we need to say it. If we want to do something, we do it. Last year, we entered Castille. Most of us could have ended up in prison but we felt that we should do it.”
How effective have online statements alone been within the local Maltese community in the way they are being utilised by Moviment Graffiti?
As before, Wayne firmly believes that digital campaigns are only part of the work required and done by the NGO. “A digital campaign can be more effective for a commercial enterprise…ultimately, we still have a mission and we still have a lot of work to do. Sometimes we put up funny or light-hearted content to attract masses. Content needs to be relevant. Digital activism is effective in terms of awareness raising”
Ultimately however, a physical presence is still very much necessary for the work carried out by Moviment Graffiti. “You can raise awareness, you can also take out people out in the streets because it builds hype. To achieve a goal, which, in our case, is changing a policy, law or even personnel, needs more than digital activism. We don’t have the same strength as other NGOs or even the developer’s lobby group, MHRA. Digital activism is important but definitely not effective on its own.”
In conclusion, social media as a tool for spreading a message is once again limited not only for Moviment Graffiti and its members, but also the local political bodies and opposing parties, albeit these have more resources and direct access to more popular channels of communication such as their own television channels, media houses and holding events amongst the most powerful stakeholders in the development industry, which Moviment Graffiti has limited, if any, access to.
Hence, the importance of physical protest and to some extent even occupation of public spaces to exercise the right to vocalise opposing views to what is going on remains hugely important and detrimental to the effectiveness of campaigns. Movement Graffiti’s online activism does affect the voice of Maltese politics on multiple topics such as the local construction bedlam, but to a very limited extent- and that is why, even in an age where the power of digital is growing at an exponential rate year on year, one cannot yet, if ever, move away from the very tangible effectiveness of physical protests to express public outcry.
