Ninjas say no to press censorship

Midia Ninja
Brazil (Rio )

Back in June 2011, civil unrest proved its ability to act as a catalyst for political change and amid bloody riots in Rio de Janeiro’s Leblon district, a new breed of journalism emerged. Frustrated by a lack of coverage or censorship by mainstream media and unacceptable treatment by police, citizen journalists began shooting with weapons of mass communication – smartphone imagery, social media and 4G – to live-broadcast frontline protests and political strife themselves.

Incorporating a Portuguese acronym for ‘Independent Narratives Journalism and Action’, today Mídia Ninja has a news platform of over 2000 contributors spread across the globe to encourage transparent insight into what’s actually happening in the world. Most recently, ‘Ninjas’ covered the violent eviction of over three thousand people by over two thousand police on a farm in the Goias district when it was declared ‘unproductive’ by a state senator.

Co-founder Bruno Torturra says that common sense guides the movement: “Our main role is to reclaim journalism and communications for ourselves. The activists’ role is to act as the public’s eyes and to offer information increasingly qualified to defend democracy.” Unlike traditional media, Ninjas engage directly with online audiences to far surpass coverage levels that traditional Brazilian media receives. From the challenge of educating new communicators in grassroots communities, to the production of increasingly better content, Mídia Ninja empowers journalists to build their own narratives, demanding greater media transparency for society on a vast scale.

Written by

Natasha Drewnicki (28 August 2015)

Bio

Natasha has rendered her insatiable nosiness into a career in journalism and PR. When not juggling projects in Barcelona, she'll be surfing in North Spain or Cornwall.

Project leader

Bruno Torturra, Founder

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Comments

 

  1. ALBERT

    REALLY INTERESTING PIECE

  2. Michelle Hardiman

    Thanks for commenting Albert

  3. Montserrat

    En España hay dictadura, los catalanes han dado el primer paso.
    Los policias enviados por el govierno español causaron la reaccion contraria a lo deseado.
    Es hora de plantar cara a los politicos que solo miran el beneficio para ellos y sus amigos. Basta ya de corrupcion! Nuestro planeta merece mas amor y menos guerras. Hay soluciones pero a los ricos y enfermos morales les da igual.
    In Spain there is dictatorship, the Catalans have taken the first step.
    The police sent by the Spanish government caused the opposite reaction to the desired.
    It’s time to stand up to politicians who only look at the benefit for themselves and their friends. Enough of corruption! Our planet deserves more love and fewer wars. There are solutions but the rich and sick morals do not care.

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