Anytime! Always Ready for Education (127)

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TIP 
Criminalise e humour 
são as grafi as utilizadas 
no Reino Unido e na 
maioria dos países de 
colonização inglesa, 
como a África do Sul. 
Criminalize e humor são 
as grafi as utilizadas nos 
Estados Unidos.
Rather than rely on the mainstream press to cover important 
political stories, citizens are able to discuss issues in the digital 
space. When their stories go viral the mainstream media then 
begins to cover them as important news items.
Twitter in particular has become a useful political tool for 
many. And Twitter’s standard vernaculars such as hashtags 
and memes have also been creatively appropriated to reflect 
local inflections. Humour, local languages, and idioms abound.
The fact that participants are also able to “tag” their leaders 
further means that authority is confronted directly. And a 
poor person living in an informal settlement is now able to 
confront the head of state with just as much authority as 
anyone else. These small victories matter.
These platforms have also enabled users to link local issues 
with international concerns to give them global currency and 
legitimacy. In Kenya for example, an anti-rape campaign which 
coalesced around #JusticeForKemunto could be seamlessly 
linked to the [#MeToo movement], a similar rebuke and 
articulation of anger against sexual violence against women. […]
Originally published by George Ogola on The Conversation.
HOW NEW media platforms have become powerful across Africa. The South 
African, Oct. 12, 2010. Available at: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/
new-media-platforms-africa/. Accessed on: May 14, 2020.
4. What is the main purpose of the article? Write down the answer in your notebook.
a. To argue against the use of media platforms in Africa.
b. To introduce a new media platform based in South Africa.
c. To give the readers general information about new media platforms on the African continent.
d. To highlight the importance of social media platforms as powerful forces for democracy in 
African countries. X
5. The following words are from the text. In your notebook, match them to their meanings in 
Portuguese. a. VI; b. VII; c. II; d. I; e. IV; f. III; g. V
a. laws (l. 10; l. 11)
b. target (l. 10)
c. rather than (l. 20)
d. rely (on) (l. 20)
e. mainstream press/media (l. 20; l. 22)
f. head of state (l. 31)
g. enable (l. 33)
6. Answer the following questions in your notebook, according to the text.
a. What are the positive and negative aspects of the use of social media platforms?
b. What happens when a story goes viral on social media platforms?
c. What is one great advantage of being able to tag politicians on social media?
5. Peça aos estudantes que releiam as frases do texto onde estão as palavras 
da atividade, para tentar inferir o significado delas por meio do contexto.
Mainstream media then begins to cover the story as important news items.
It means that anyone is able to confront their leaders.
6. a. Social media platforms can 
be good for democracy as they 
give voice to those who were 
previously excluded from public 
communication. But they are also a 
space for dangerous, sectarian and 
divisive ideas.
 I. confi ar (em), contar (com), depender (de)
 II. em vez de; ao invés de
 III. chefe de Estado
 IV. imprensa; grande mídia
 V. possibilitar; tornar capaz de
 VI. leis
 VII. ter como alvo, dirigir-se especifi camente a
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7. In your notebook, check if the following statements are true (T) or 
false (F). Then fi nd an excerpt in the text to justify your answer.
a. Some African countries have passed laws in an attempt to 
control social media platforms. T
b. When it comes to political stories, citizens across Africa prefer 
to get information from the mainstream press. F
c. Hashtags and memes have been adapted to reflect local 
language and culture. T
8. Find an example in the text of how social media platforms can 
help local issues be linked with international ones and, as a 
consequence, become known globally. Write it in your notebook.
After You Read
9. Discuss the following questions in small groups. 
a. Based on what you read, what is the author’s view of the use 
of social media? Do you think he is in favor of controlling social 
media platforms? Do you agree with him? Why (not)?
b. Where do you usually get information from? Resposta pessoal
c. What do you think are the best ways of getting news 
information online? Resposta pessoal
d. Do you think social media platforms play an important role in 
giving voice to ordinary people in your country? Resposta pessoal
e. According to the text, social media platforms have become a 
useful political tool for many. Do you think that is also true in 
your country? Resposta pessoal
f. Observe the text again. Is it possible to share this article online? 
How do you know that? Would you share it? Why (not)?
7. a. “[...] Uganda, Kenya, 
Tanzania, Zambia and Gambia 
have already passed laws 
that target social media users 
specifically. Some of these laws 
criminalise free speech online, 
while others have made the use 
of social media too expensive 
for users.”
7. b. “Rather than rely on the 
mainstream press to cover 
important political stories, 
citizens are able to discuss 
issues in the digital space.”
7. c. “And Twitter’s standard 
vernaculars such as hashtags 
and memes have also been 
creatively appropriated to reflect 
local inflections. Humour, local 
languages, and idioms abound.”
#JusticeForKemunto, an anti-rape campaign in Kenya, could be linked to #MeToo, a movement 
against sexual violence against women. 
9. No Manual do Profes-
sor você encontra orien-
tações para a condução 
desta atividade.
9. a. The author expresses a 
positive view of the use of 
social media. He is not in favor 
of controlling social media 
platforms.
Yes, it is possible to share this article online. There are sharing options on the top of the 
webpage. / Respostas pessoais
Where do you 
usually get 
information 
from?
I watch news 
programs on TV 
and read articles 
on media 
platforms.
What about 
you?
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