Sierra Leone - Creating Citizen Journalists Through SMS

Description

UK-based Radar helps train, mentor and link citizen journalists from some of the most isolated and marginalized communities in the world to international news organizations. Micro-reports are submitted by the journalists using simple SMS text messages to Radar's London Gmail account, verified and then forwarded to social media sites such as Twitter and Tumbler, as well as to the international media. Micro-reports submitted by citizen journalists are credited back to them and commissions have even been received from news organizations. Radar also pays the journalists for story ideas as well.

Many of Radar's journalists have no background with computers or even access to electricity so text messaging from mobile phones is the technology of choice. While SMS messaging may be the foundation of the program, reports may also be in the form of photographs and video captured by mobile phone as well.

Reports submitted by Radar journalists have appeared in a variety of creditable news sources including The Guardian and the BBC World Service. Reporting programs are currently ongoing in Africa and India.