Offline access to online journalism - bypassing censorship and low internet access
The internet is central to modern journalism, but many across the world face barriers of low internet access, literacy, and censorship. There have, though, been innovative attempts to deal with this. For example, in Burundi when radios were closed after the controversial 2015 elections, many turned to sharing files (downloaded radio broadcasts, podcasts, articles...) via social media and also sharing/ copying files via quick connections between phones (Bluetooth, Whatsapp, etc.). This requires far lower general internet access and is more difficult to track/ censor.
What other methods/ formats have successfully dealt with low internet access or censorship? How could journalists look more at such access issues? Sharing via apps like Whatsapp/ Telegram; downloadable podcasts and articles; summary reports...
Liam
shared this idea
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mr junnu
commented
The distinction between online and offline is conventionally seen as the distinction between computer-mediated communication and face-to-face communication (e.g., face time), respectively. Online is virtuality or cyberspace, and offline is reality (i.e., real life or "meatspace"). https://tweakdoor.info/ & https://upflixapk.com/
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Liam
commented
Hi Eddie,
Thanks so much for that information; no I had only heard of Raspberry Pi before. Very interesting, particularly the South African village - it would be fascinating to learn more about initiatives like that. Outernet especially seems like it could be very useful for bypassing censorship.
That sounds great - I guess some of the solutions to low internet access and censorship can be the same, but yes definitely they are separate issues. Thanks again for the information!
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Eddie Avila
commented
Hi Liam - have you heard of projects like Outernet, Kiwix, and Raspberry Pi local networks? That might be something to feature.
I am also wondering whether this might be two possible sessions (one about getting around censorship and another one just about low bandwidth areas)? Rising Voices is definitely interested in efforts to get people connected through a variety of ways, including local community-owned networks. Did you see this post?