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Hashtag activism, sometimes derisively called “slacktivism,” has become de rigeur as more people use social networks to spread memes, gather signatures and raise awareness of important issues. But the practice has also come under scrutiny because it might take the place of more real-world action; most often, hashtag activism doesn’t lead to protests in the street. But as James Poniewozik at Time writes, it is the most direct form of media criticism around, this era's letter to the editor. #Bringbackourgirls brought international media exposure to the story of kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls, something Poniewozik says wouldn't have run on the front page without social pressure. Lately we've seen #iftheygunnedmedown (after the shooting in Ferguson) and #icebucketchallenge (to raise money for ALS) rise to national attention through social media proliferation. But is this effective means of protest or a superficial attempt to look like you care about something? On this edition of the Mediatwits podcast, we'll be discussing social media outcry and the rise of hashtag activism with Angelina Fanous from Vice and Jessica Craig from Pitt News, with Mediatwits regular Alex Leo from Newsweek, Andrew Lih of American University as guest host, with Fannie Cohen producing. The Mediatwits podcast is hosted and sponsored by NextSpace and NextKids Potrero Hill in San Francisco, offering coworking space and adjacent day-care for infants and toddlers. Learn more about their pioneering program here.