The
power of SMS in providing equal access to information has recently been
discovered by journalists all over the world. Harry Surjadi -a Knight International Journalism fellow- has initiated
the (quite unusual) idea of breaking news in 160 characters. Indeed, he is
enabling journalists living in remote and small communities in Indonesia to
easily spread real time information through SMS breaking news.
This can be done by using FrontlineSMS, a free
platform that enables companies, NGOs or simply motivated users to spread
thousands of SMS globally. This platform has often been used by charities and
not-for-profit organisations to promote international development, as it enables
high percentages of information access as well as interactivity. Indeed,
through simple SMS, people are provided with a basic but effective tool to
communicate and share information both nationally –within their local
community- and internationally –with the NGO or charity, which is engaging with
them.
The acronym ICT4D –Information and Communication
Technologies for Development- is paradoxically coming back to the “old style”.
SMS, which many people would consider
passés in current societies, are
indeed the latest technology for development, as they assure equality of
information globally.
To find out more about ways to engage with your
communities –nationally or internationally- check “The World in the Palm of your Hands: SMS and Mobile Communication”
on http://www.credemus.org/events/event-list?task=view_event&event_id=13
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