The recent class discussions regarding the evolving influence of social media over traditional power structures reminded me of a crime committed in Macedonia while I was living there.
What occurred was a police officer had beaten to death a young 22 year old man during a celebration about the recent election results. The death was initially reported blandly, stating that a young man was found dead near the city center, nothing more. Within a few hours of the report social media members, primarily youths, took to Facebook and Twitter and demanded answers. Peaceful protests were organized and held largely without incidence. After a few days went by government officials came out stating that in fact the young man had been beaten to death by a police officer and subsequently arrested.
During my time in Macedonia I worked often with the local municipality and became intimately aware of the futility of the judicial system within the country, so, this development was fascinating to me because of the speed with which social media was able to challenge the official position and effect change. While the government of Macedonia today is far from powerless, they definitely cannot ignore the new contender in the ring.
Here is a link of a typical blog post following the protests:
http://www.movements.org/blog/entry/young-people-erupt-in-macedonia-after-23-year-old-is-killed-by-police-danie/
as well as a link to traditional journalism coverage regarding the protests.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonian-youth-protests-gain-momentum
Interesting. It just shows that there is a need for the checks and balances of the civil society and public, vs. those in power. Having these persons protest gives more information to the public, and of course, better closure for the family. It makes you wonder, though, that if they do not report on the death of a human being caused by the police force, what else are they not telling us?
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