Blogging for Amnesty
Amnesty International USA encourages its activists and members to use the web for human rights outreach, education and advocacy. From online newspapers and blogs to message boards and social networks, there are many ways you can spread the word. We hope you will consider being an online ambassador for Amnesty to help us:
- Promote online dialogue about human rights issues
- Educate people about Amnesty’s human rights campaigns and action
- Drive traffic to amnestyusa.org
Making comments on blogs and message boards is simple. Not sure what to write? Make it personal and show others your passion for human rights and a better world. Here are some examples:
Example 1 – Blog Comment:
“I can’t believe that more than five years of conflict in Darfur has passed and has left over 200,000 people dead and more than 2.5 million people without homes! The violence has gone on for too long, and it is so important to encourage action in whatever way that we can.”
Example 2 – Message Board Posting on Washington Post’s Rights Watchers Discussion Group:
Post:
“I cannot believe our media continues to use terms such as "enhanced interrogations" and other euphemisms for waterboarding. Perhaps. if they all agreed to call it torture it might change the tone of conversation. Why do we allow this administration to justify the unjustifiable with the unintelligible?”
Response:
“I agree, that’s why it is so important to be informed about the facts. Human rights are not to be taken lightly.”
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re blogging or commenting for Amnesty:
- Your exchanges are individual interactions and not “official” Amnesty communications. Make sure you identify yourself as a volunteer or activist if applicable and not as an employee or representative of the organization.
- Stay away from canned speech. Try not to use word-for-word phrases from Amnesty International communications.
- Keep your facts straight by visiting our site often to keep up on the latest human rights news and actions.
- Links, links and more links! Be sure to always include links back to AmnsetyUSA.org. This will increase our popularity on search engines.
Most of all, have fun and use your creativity and unique perspective to engage new audiences. If you have any questions or need more advice, please contact us.
