Towards a critical construction of human rights from communication point of view: a study from social movements

Abstract

Based on the visibility that social movements make about social injustices, the main objective of this article is to analyze the use of spaces and communication technologies made by such groups to exercise a critical development of human rights. Starting mainly from critical theory and post-structuralism, a qualitative methodology was used consisting of the application of 12 semi-structured interviews to key agents part of 2 social movements from different territorialities. The results indicate, in first place, the high value to communication and ICT as elements of counterpower from which to transmit the various resignifications that they carry out on rights and human dignity. And secondly, that such transformative actions are carried out from 4 keys: the struggle from and for the most disadvantaged, the search for a human dignity based on the material life, the construction of human rights as a counterpower and the protection of a comprehensive vision of them. It is concluded that communication is, for both social movements, not a mere catalyst but a true motor that has transformed the ways in which social change is conceived.