'Kony 2012,' World Changing or Slacktivism?

Kony 2012 is probably the most ambitious social media campaign to date. 

For those that need a quick background on the now viral issue, here it is. In 2002 a couple of young film makers were on their way to Darfur to cover the conflict and on their way became captivated with the conflict in Uganda, their transit location. This conflict has been going on for decades and is between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony. Kony and his rebels abduct children and forces them to become child soldiers, among other atrocities. While in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, the film makers saw the plight of several hundred young children walking from the countryside every night just to sleep in the capital to avoid abduction. In the morning the second part of the mass migration continued and these children headed back to their villages in the countryside.(Somewhat reminiscent of the Lost Boys of Sudan). 

After film makers returned to the US they formed the NGO, Invisible Children to raise awareness about the plight of these young children and the brutal tactics of Kony.He is now the most wanted man by the International Criminal Court in Hague.   

So what is  Kony 2012 proposing we do? They want to raise awareness about Kony and his rebels, they want that awareness to translate into action by the Government to put boots on the ground in East Africa to help capture Kony and bring him to trial. 

So what is all the controversy about? Well the biggest criticisms  are about their finances and that they paint an unfair picture of Uganda. The Telegraph says this about their finances. 

  

Of more than £6 million it spent in 2001, less than £2.3 million was for activities helping people on the ground. The rest went on “awareness programs and products”, management, media and others.

The other side of this argument is that Invisible Children's main goal has always been to raise awareness. Their charter has not changed and their finances reflect that charter, anyone giving to them hopefully understands that their goal is not to rebuild villages, drill for clean water or implement educational programs, although they have done some of this type of work. 

As for the second criticism about Kony 2012 here is what  Arthur Larok,Action Aid's director in Uganda, says this about this film.

It doesn't sound like a fair representation of Uganda. We have challenges within the country, but certainly the perception of a country at war is not accurate at all. There are political, economic and social challenges, but they are complex. Being dramatic about a country at war is not accurate. 

So whether you agree or disagree with these criticisms Invisible Children has certainly done what they set out to do, to raise awareness. Their video has had more than 70 millions views and counting which is impressive since Uganda has no strategic importance to any Western country. It is has no oil, diamonds, minerals or US bases.

If you haven't seen the film as yet here is a link. It's only 30 mins.

So what do  you think, Kony 2012, World Changing or Lazy Activism aka. Slacktivism?