The utilization of virtual communication environments by anti globalization movements

The study describes the methods of utilization of virtual communication environments used by anti-globalization movements. The study uses critical theory?s critique of mainstream media that do not provide equal opportunity to accommodate every segment of the society, researches on social movements, different approaches to globalization and studies on utilization of virtual communication environments, as a theoretical framework.The study focuses on anti-globalization movements, which incline to utilize means of virtual communication as a result of representation of mainstream media in an exclusive manner with various emphasis and interpretative framework. The purposes of the study are to identify the types of virtual communication environments used by anti-globalization movements, how they are used, the advantages they provide to the movements, how these benefits are utilized, whether there is any critical attitude towards these environments, if there is, what the main reasons are behind these criticisms, transformation over the movements and the content of future plans regarding them. In order to achieve these goals, among various anti-globalization movements, organizations that organized demonstrations in Seattle in November 30th 1999 are chosen. Data is collected from the sample that consists of 25 organizations through the content analysis of their web sites, semi-structured interviews with the communication representatives of the organizations, and observations received during their activities. Based on the results of the analysis, it is found out that the organizations that choose virtual communication environments in order to avoid the problems they encounter with the mainstream media face some difficulties in their utilization of these environments. Even though these virtual environments provide an open communication system for a democratic expression, due to the economic problems and staff shortages that the movements face, it can be concluded that they are not able to employ the environments? potential advantages and innovative aspects.Key Words: Globalization, social movements, virtual communication environments, anti globalization movements, content analysis, semi structured interview, observation.