Alternative Journalism

Few weeks ago, I had to write a university assignment. I should connect a journalism theory with a real life example. It seemed quite hard, because most of theories appear to be really inspirational and none seemed to happen in this world. However, when I did a bit I research I found a special case.

In June 2013, Brazil experienced a wave of protests, people demonstrated against the expenses in Olympic Games, which are going to be held in Brazil and the less effort that government puts to improve public education or health.

Millions of people took the streets, but they didn’t get all the attention from Brazilian mainstream media. However, there was an alternative journalistic online platform that covered the facts from the protesters’ view. 

Ninja media, the alternative online platform, had a great impact in the social media. With more than 200,000 likes in Facebook they were able to encourage people towards social changes.

Ninja has fulfilled its function as alternative media, because they provoke a social movement and they promote people to demonstrate against these government’s expenses. Government has stepped back with its costs and raising prices.

This media is worthy of admiration, but my question is: Could this alternative journalism become a precedent for futures social movements?

It is know that Mediterranean countries, as Spain or Greece, have been protesting for the last two years against the cuts in public education, health services... However, they were not capable to change any governments’ decision. So, can this Brazilian case be used as an example of encouragement of social movements? Can journalism play a greater role in futures protests?