This paper addresses the usage and transformation of video footage from popular culture by citizens to create a critical audio-visual collage of the issue portrayed. Also referred to as political remix videos (PRV) these videos are regarded as a form of political and or social protest that provides citizens not only with a tool for political advocacy but also facilitates a platform for interaction and discussion, thereby converging popular culture and politics (Edwards & Tyron, 2009). Similar novel forms of political and social engagement have also emerged within other fields. So called online political video games are created by independent developers who aim to inform, stimulate and engage participants in serious matters in a fun way (Author, 2010). The accessible context created by this particular use of new media is enabling citizens to produce critical readings of their political and social environment which stimulates and facilitates engagement among peers (Van Zoonen, 2007). The current study aims to gain insight in the participatory nature of these different “do-it-yourself” modes of engagement while contributing to a further conceptualization of the remediated notion of citizenship. Building on our previous research (Author, 2010), 100 political remix videos were investigated to better understand why producers and consumers make and use these mediated forms of critical social and political reflection. Several producers of PRVs were interviewed, in order to ascertain why they chose this particular medium of expression.
