First off this article is not any sort of technical analysis of techniques or approaches, if you are looking for that there is a ton of information out there covering those aspects already.  This is more a philosophical viewpoint on the ever increasing phenomenon of "hacking for a cause".  Recent events have put the spotlight on several groups, namely Anonymous, but there are others, who have taken up the cause to go full force in offensive digital operations against radical terrorist groups and entities.  At first glance and without deep dive analysis on the subject this sounds like a win/win for all those who support the fight against terrorism.  The collective known as Anonymous and other fringe hactivist groups and individuals can undertake offensive operations in a massive global, non-centralized way without the encumbrance of "democratized protections of liberties", bureaucratic hurdles, geographic boundaries, and authoritative oversight that allows agility that even the most mightiest and budgeted nation states often can not produce.  
These dynamics of unfettered and unhampered approaches allow an ops tempo that is pivotal in making a dent in the massive propaganda AND operational  communication techniques of these radical elements.  These are all GOOD things from my perspective and it is hard for even the most ardent critics of these cyber commando's to frown on.  With that being said we have to force ourselves to ask the very hard question of what happens next?  What happens when the smoke clears 5, 10, 15 years down the line?  Does this phenomenon produce generally well meaning civic and social cause proponents who leverage their superior agility and anonymity to right the world through digital means?  Or, does it produce a generation of seriously skilled actors who do not have the formation of true digital ethics let alone the historical and matured capability for analyzing social and political issues prior to engaging their skill-sets for one cause or another. 
Hactivism can cut both ways, we have seen this in the past and now with the front-page global recognition and perceived silent approvals we will color it one way.... but in the end it will always be 50 shades of gray.
Today it is ISIS and the terrorists and that is good but what will it be tomorrow? What are your thoughts?