New Social Movements

New Social Movements

Social movements can be described as informal networks of people and groups who share a common identity and are capable of mobilizing resources for various social activities. Labour movements, women's movements, environmental movements, animal and human right movements, etc. are some examples of worldwide social movements. ICT (Information and communication Technology) contributes to carry out social movements to a great extent.

The new media in communication technology such as email, websites and CMC (Computer Mediated Communication) are very important to foster social movements. The internet with its transnational many to many communication facility provides a common platform to all people in the world. People can share their ideas, views, plans, etc. to the people through the online communication. ICT helps to shape collective identity and prepare effective plan to lead social movements for social justice world widely. Email ensures cheaper and faster communication among social movements actors. The websites enable movements to have worldwide visibility and access to available member to download. Different campaigns can be launched through websites, such as fund rising, recruitment of new activists, up-to-date news and events, etc. In fact, computer mediated communication unites geographically dispersed individuals for the collective actions in different social movements.

NSM (New Social Movements) are the social movements groups. They are concerned with different universal principles and values for the betterment of human beings. They exit in the modern context. They work against the class based demands. They launch programs for animal rights, sexuality, gender differences, human rights and dignity. NSMs are formed by the groups having the plurality of meanings and orientations. Through the creative use of new media, NSMs can combine traditional aspects, political discourse and analysis with captivating drama, images and symbols as a means of illuminating concerns and issues of conflict. Different websites such as culture jamming, Indymedia, RT mark, Global network, etc. raise their voices against the commercialization of public places like transport, schools, neighbours, highways, etc. These websites helps to receive funding for the abolishing of bad products to the social movement activists. Thus, the social activists can launch different programs against the malpractices by the help of new media through NSMs in the world.