Digital Activism, Physical Activism: Malta's Front Harsien Odz

This paper will analyze the activism of a newly-formed citizens’ movement in Malta which relies on both digital and physical activism. Since its founding in 2015, Front Harsien ODZ has regularly held press conferences and organised Malta’s biggest ever environmental protest. The build-up and follow-up to these physical events has been carried out through digital media, both in terms of internal communication, as well as in terms of propagation of the Front’s goals and statements. The physical-digital interaction is also characterized by regular face-to-face meetings of core activists as well as public meetings, which are advertised through the digital media and social networks.

 This paper draws on literature on Information Communication Technologies and movements, social networks, online mobilization, media performances , modular repertoire, media ecologies, media strategies and networked social movements to analyse the role of digital media in environmental mobilization.

 The research presents qualitative data through interviews with core activists within the Front, showing the impact of digital media in the Front’s recruitment, networks, activism and mobilization, as well as the Front’s interaction with its adversaries.