Kony 2012 is more viral than Susan Boyle
KONY 2012 is a hit. The video by Invisible Children aims to stop Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony by bringing his name to a worldwide audience. Job done. Kony 2012 might be the most viral video in history, according to one researcher; bigger than Susan Boyle singing a show tune on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.
The video has been accused of being biased and serving a less than altruistic agenda – Invisble Children are said by some to be evangelical Christians looking for fame and fortune, mired in corruption.
Tumblr blog Visible Children says 32% of Invisible Children’s money goes to direct services, while the rest is spent on staff salaries and other running costs. Invisible Children said 32% was correct but 26% was invested in “awareness programs”. Like many if not all charities, the intended recipient of aid can be lower down the food chain than the donor might imagine.
Invisible Children CEO Ben Keesey has responded with another video. Says he:
“I think I understand, a lot people are wondering, ‘Is this some kind of slick, fly by night, slacktivist thing?’ when actually it’s not at all. It’s actually a really — it’s connected to a really deep, very thoughtful, very intentional and strategic campaign.”
The video called Thank you, Kony 2012 Supporters is aimed at Invisible Children’s critics. But, as we wrote, one major gripe is that idea of Kony being the “white man’s burden”, and how Kelsey’s feelings are central to the Kony 2012. It’s narrated by director Jason Russell who founded Invisible Children. Russell is white.
The critics have attacked and questioned the medium but not so much if Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, is a war criminal.
Posted: 13th, March 2012 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
