Towards SoMoLo journalism and SoMoLo activism: case studies of Macau netizens’ digital practices

Abstract

The emergence and convergence of social, mobile and locative technologies have inspired scholars to develop the concept of ‘SoMoLo’ to study the changing forms of journalism and activism in this new context. This study therefore attempts to further develop this concept, rejuvenating the older ‘media and movement’ tradition and especially the ‘journalism and activism’ relationship to explore how and why SoMoLo journalism coexists interdependently with SoMoLo activism. Based on the research methods of virtual ethnography and interviews, we used Macau netizens’ digital practices as case studies to explain how SoMoLo journalism led to SoMoLo activism and its implications for Macau. We believe that this type of ‘local knowledge’ for Macau may reveal possible particularities and diversities of journalism and activism that may be valuable in a global context.