With the increasing number of internet users and the ability to view visuals on mobile devices, internet video can be an effective and relatively inexpensive way to reach large audiences with key campaign messages and with critical information (e.g. available helplines and services, laws and rights). Internet videos are digital videos posted on the internet, e.g. on a campaign website or blog, or on a video sharing site, such as Youtube or The Hub (from Witness) which publishes human rights videos. They can be used as powerful tools to appeal to viewers’ emotions, and to reach out to, affect and/or inspire large audiences. Internet videos can be produced and distributed easily and inexpensively. In addition, using the internet for displaying video material can have two major advantages: Videos can be uploaded in real-time, i.e. events are shown while they are actually happening; and it is possible to add interactive elements. Please refer to the section on digital video for tips on producing video. Digital video can also be used in podcasts.
Example: The That’s Not Cool campaign has developed stories with multiple action threads, i.e. internet videos that ask the viewer has to select among choices of actions the main protagonist can take. Further development of the story depends on the viewer’s choices. Watch the videos.
Sonke Gender Justice’s One Man Can Campaign demonstrates positive masculinities and transformational change through digital stories. Watch the videos.