The anti-government protests in Serbia against the Progressive Party have been active for a few months now. It’s been steadily growing in popularity due to the use of technology and social media. People understand the power of social media now, and they use it to their advantage.
The protests began when opposition leader Borko Stefanovic of the Serbian Left party was severely beaten by masked men. It’s said that the rods used to beat him “painted is shirt red” with blood. As a result of the assault, social media was flooded with #StopKrvavimKosuljama (#StopTheBloodyShirts). The use of the hashtag allows for the world to see what’s happening. With a catchy hashtag and a foundation of angry Serbian citizens, their movement can be widespread quickly. The left’s outrage was fueled even more when journalist Milan Jovanovic’s home was burned down in an attack commonly thought to have been carried out by the Progressive Party. Four people, including Progressive Party member Dragoljub Simonovic were arrested on January 25.
Serbian citizens are unable to voice their dissatisfaction of their government because the Progressive Party, who has a tight grip on television and print press, has blocked whatever news outlets they can. That is the main reason protesters have turned to social media. Social media gives another outlet to spread information that cannot be regulated or blocked.
Serbian protester Branislav Trifunovic, one of the leading figures of the protest movement has been actively engaging people via twitter to take part in the protests.
Trifunovic says, “Social networks have remained the only possible way for the people to be told, truthfully, about what is happening. Broadcasters are, in one way or another, owned by the ruling party. Therefore, social networks are seen as dangerous to the regime.”
Trigunovic understands that their only hope is to use social media to voice their concerns and they are showing their dissatisfaction of the Progressive Party through the only means necessary.
Both parties remain separated, but the protests are still alive, and no end in sight just yet.