1. Netizen Engagement: New Wine in Old Bottles? Citizenship in the New Age of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) Inter net + Citi zen = Netizen ‘ I surf/browse/blog/email/text therefore I am!’ ‘ I am on facebook/twitter!’

2. BLOGGING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE OR EXCHANGE? Michuzi Blog Michuzi Blog : – Leading Blog in Tanzania; 7,666,062 ‘visit(or)s’; ‘Broad Church’ GDSS Blog : – Outcome of TGNP; 044,895 hits; Focus on Reclaiming Resources

3. ‘SMS UPRISING: MOBILE ACTIVISM IN AFRICA’ The Case of Tanzania “Tanzania, a nation of 40 million people, had 13.1 million phone subscribers at the end of 2008. This had jumped to 14 million by the first quarter of 2009, with 99 percent of them being mobile customers” – Reuters (2010) on Tanzania passes new telecoms laws, seeks listings (Cf. Registration ~ 7 million users) Reuters (2010) on Tanzania passes new telecoms laws, seeks listings SMS as a ‘tool’ for information sharing, ‘awareness raising’ (conscietization?), organizing & mobilization - increasingly used by Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) & Policy Forum (PF) + HakiElimu’s Interactive Services/ ‘SMS Campaign’ on Key Issues‘SMS Campaign’ “Welcome to Breakfast Debate on 29/01/2010 at British Council topic “China-Africa trade & investment Trends: Dev. & Enviro. Footprints in Tanzania”-730am to 930am, PF’ cf. TGNP on “Against Gender Violence”

4. An SMS Campaign to support those affected by floods - the campaign was criticized for ‘sidestepping’ a similar campaign by Red Cross, in collaboration with Tanzania Professional Network (TPN) and Jamii Forum (JF), the latter having attracted the intervention of about 1,800 people by 24 January 2010 criticized for ‘sidestepping’ a similar campaign

5. CYBERSPACE: A SPACE FOR ONLINE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS? LISTSERV: Online groups e.g. Wanabidii, Wanazuoni, MAO & TzECAWanabidiiWanazuoniMAOTzECA NEWSLETTER: Electronic Texts e.g. Pambazuka News & Zeleza PostPambazuka NewsZeleza Post E-MAIL: ‘Blind’ Communications e.g. Activist Writers & EditorsActivist WritersEditors

6. ANONYMOUS ACTIVISM: A WAY TO PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS? +VE: It has yielded some visible results in the War on ‘Ufisadi’ (Grand Corruption) -VE: It is open to discrediting i.e. as cowardice & as lacking credibility/legitimacy personal message from […] We would like to thank The Government and all the people of Tanzania for the great support and contribution in making our efforts to rob and pillage the nation easier, faster and profitable in every way. As you may be aware, we have been doing so for a number of years. We have defrauded Tanzania billions of shillings over the years. For those of you who do not know us very well, we have written a brief on our history and our current activities. […] We, of course, do not regret causing the Tanzanian people hardship and hurting the economy with the mess at […] We look forward to your continued support and public money to sustain our lifestyles […] (Anonymous email that circulated online prior to a serious Ufisadi Scandal)

7. IS THERE ANYTHING NEW ABOUT THE COST(S) OF ONLINE ACTIVISM? “Wanachama wawili wa tovuti ya majadiliano ya Jambo Forums wako mikononi mwa Polisi kwa madai ya kushiriki katika mtandao wa kihalifu, na kichochezi na kighaidi. Madai hayo yaliyotolewa na jeshi la Polisi leo siyo tu yanatukana akili za wanachama wengi wa Jambo Forums lakini pia yanaonesha ni jinsi gani Jeshi Letu la Raia wa Tanzania linaweza kutumika kama mtutu wa kulipua uhuru wa maoni, fikra, mawazo, na habari nchini.” – The Introduction of a Statement by Jambo Forum (now renamed Jamii Forum), dated 20 February 2008 on the arrest of two members alleged to have participated in a crime, insurgent and terrorist network “Immediately after the Press Conference I received three unidentified Telephone calls, threatening my life, for ‘poking my nose’ in peoples affairs. They all used hidden ‘cell numbers’ under “ private number’. When I reported to the police was asked if I had any suspect, but could not have imagined whom could that be. They refused even to open a police investigation file claiming they have no way of identifying suspects, as Tanzania has no control system as yet. I reported to my Party leaders, and they had also received similar calls asking them to warn me. The Chairman has since written a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to see to it that appropriate protections is provided, but we have not received any communication from the IGP to date. These are challenges one faces for standing for the Truth in a society where ‘values’ do not count” – Dr. Wilbroad Slaa (2007) on ‘Resisting Corruption and Breaking Ranks – The Price You Pay in Tanzania’