Editing Hacktivism (section)

===Media hacking===
''Media hacking'' refers to the usage of various [[electronic media]] in an innovative or otherwise abnormal fashion for the purpose of conveying a message to as large a number of people as possible, primarily achieved via the [[World Wide Web]].<ref>{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.seanbohan.com/?p=6 | title = Media Hacking | publisher = SeanBohan.com | author = Bohan, S. | access-date = February 9, 2007 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929114342/http://www.seanbohan.com/?p=6 | archive-date = September 29, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.meskelsquare.com/archives/2005/11/hacking_baby_cheetahs_and_hung.html | title = Hacking Baby Cheetahs and Hunger Strikes | publisher = Meskel Square | author = Heavens, A. | access-date = February 9, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061108145039/http://www.meskelsquare.com/archives/2005/11/hacking_baby_cheetahs_and_hung.html | archive-date = November 8, 2006 }}</ref> A popular and effective means of media hacking is posting on a [[blog]], as one is usually controlled by one or more independent individuals, uninfluenced by outside parties. The concept of [[social bookmarking]], as well as Web-based [[Internet forum]]s, may cause such a message to be seen by users of other sites as well, increasing its total reach.

Media hacking is commonly employed for political purposes, by both political parties and [[dissident|political dissidents]]. A good example of this is the 2008 US Election, in which both the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] parties used a wide variety of different media in order to convey relevant messages to an increasingly Internet-oriented audience.<ref>{{cite web |author=Peter Kafka |url=http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/presidential_debates_come_to_twitter_how_to_follow_along |title=Obama, McCain Debate Via Twitter: How To Follow Along* |publisher=Alleyinsider.com |date=2008-06-20 |access-date=2011-07-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207082105/http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/presidential_debates_come_to_twitter_how_to_follow_along |archive-date=2009-02-07 }}</ref> At the same time, political dissidents used [[blog]]s and other social media like [[Twitter]] in order to reply on an individual basis to the presidential candidates. In particular, sites like Twitter are proving important means in gauging popular support for the candidates, though the site is often used for dissident purposes rather than a show of positive support.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://goodgearguide.com.au/index.php/id;1823349553 |title=Twitter backlash over McCain campaign 'suspension' |publisher=Good Gear Guide |date=2008-09-25 |access-date=2011-07-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201043312/http://goodgearguide.com.au/index.php/id |archive-date=2008-12-01 }}</ref>

Mobile technology has also become subject to media hacking for political purposes. [[Short message service|SMS]] has been widely used by political dissidents as a means of quickly and effectively organising [[smart mobs]] for political action. This has been most effective in the Philippines, where SMS media hacking has twice had a significant impact on whether or not the country's Presidents are elected or removed from office.<ref>{{cite web |author=Howard Rheingold |url=http://www.smartmobs.com/2006/08/22/wikipedia-on-sms-political-impacts/ |title=Blog Archive » Wikipedia on SMS, political impacts |publisher=Smart Mobs |date=2006-08-22 |access-date=2011-07-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613113554/http://www.smartmobs.com/2006/08/22/wikipedia-on-sms-political-impacts/ |archive-date=2011-06-13 }}</ref>