How to Launch a Human Rights Blog
A blog can be an effective way to expose human rights abuses. For more information, go to "www.movements.org":http://www.movements.org
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You Will Need
- A computer with internet access
- A blogging program
- Writing skill
- Anonymizing software
- Photographs and video footage
Steps
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Publicly exposing human-rights abuses may put you at risk in certain countries. Take steps to ensure anonymity and proceed with caution.
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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.
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Use anonymizing software to help hide your IP address.
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Step 2
Pick the issues
Decide which specific issues and events you want to highlight. Practice drafting entries before you go live.
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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.
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While staying current, always explain background and context. Assume your readers know nothing about the situations you’re describing.
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Step 4
Find your voice
Develop a distinct voice. Whether you’re scholarly, sarcastic, or bombastic, be consistent, and be original.
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Step 5
Remain anonymous
Increase your chances of remaining anonymous--and escaping detection by authorities--by not revealing personal information on the blog.
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Entries about your own experiences, or those of friends and family, may attract more readers. Just be sure to change names and identifying details.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Step 9
Make it interactive
Encourage reader comments and suggestions. Lively debate can increase traffic.
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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.
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The United Nations adopted the historic "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" in 1948. It's since been translated into more than 300 languages.
