Print Close

You’re outraged over human-rights abuses, and you want to take a stand. A blog can be one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard. For more information on social movements, go to http://youthmovements.howcast.com

• Warning

  Publicly exposing human-rights abuses may put you at risk in certain countries. Take steps to ensure anonymity and proceed with caution.

• 

  Step 1: Set it up

  Set up the blog. Check out the web sites of journalist-rights groups for information on programs to use, techniques to avoid censors, and security measures to take.

• Tip

  Use anonymizing software to help hide your IP address.

• 

  Step 2: Pick the issues

  Decide which specific issues and events you want to highlight. Practice drafting entries before you go live.

• 

  Step 3: Make it current

  A successful blog is not a history lesson; your writing should reference current events. And stick to the facts—human-rights abuses don’t need embellishment.

• Tip

  While staying current, always explain background and context. Assume your readers know nothing about the situations you’re describing.

• 

  Step 4: Find your voice

  Develop a distinct voice. Whether you’re scholarly, sarcastic, or bombastic, be consistent, and be original.

• 

  Step 5: Remain anonymous

  Increase your chances of remaining anonymous—and escaping detection by authorities—by not revealing personal information on the blog.

• Tip

  Entries about your own experiences, or those of friends and family, may attract more readers. Just be sure to change names and identifying details.

• 

  Step 6: Seek help

  Identify regional specialists at human-rights organizations and nonprofit groups that support press freedom. They can offer guidance and may even be able to provide funding and legal advice.

• 

  Step 7: Optimize

  Optimize your results in search engines by using keywords—terms and phrases related to your topic that people tend to search for—in the titles and top paragraphs of your posts.

• 

  Step 8: Link to external sites

  Link to other relevant blogs, dissident and human-rights groups, and news organizations. Get as many of them as possible to reciprocate.

• 

  Step 9: Make it interactive

  Encourage reader comments and suggestions. Lively debate can increase traffic.

• 

  Step 10: Use photos and video

  If possible, incorporate photographs and video. A picture tells a thousand words, and video is harder for censors to catch than text.

• Fact

  The United Nations adopted the historic "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" in 1948. It's since been translated into more than 300 languages.