Reporting live from my Nokia N810

Posted by Puja Deverakonda on May 21, 2008 - 5:07am.

Formerly tools of the tech savvy, two new social networking trends are becoming mainstream – and changing how citizens react to crisis situations. Moblogging (short for “mobile” and “blogging”) and microblogging allow for instant updates via cell phone to a web interface. During the recent Kenyan elections and Myanmar cyclone relief efforts, moblogging has been used to provide valuable on-ground information to circumvent autocratic governments.

In the aftermath of the Kenyan elections, the formerly free press was suddenly under the control of the state. Leading Kenyan bloggers (including Kenyan Pundit and White African) gathered and created a mashup, Ushahidi.com, to gather real time reports of major events. Updates included reports of police brutality, bonfires, and peaceful events (such as meetings or candlelight vigils). The blogs then used information to report on the post-election crisis. A good summary of this coverage can be found at Global Voices Online.

In an analysis of post-Tsunami reconstruction, McKinsey & Co. cites better communication with volunteers as a key area in improving disaster relief. Even in 2004, relief agencies sought to leverage the internet to help them achieve their mission. The Task Force for Rebuilding Sri Lanka (TAFREN) developed a standard, publicly accessible Web database for collecting and organizing data (Development Assistance Database). Because Myanmar’s ruling junta places heavy limits on access to technology, the scope for digital communication in cyclone relief efforts was limited. Still, the public sent tips to leading microblogging website twitter about restrictions imposed on Burmese journalists covering disaster areas, the death toll, forced migration from monestaries, and weather dispatches in the cylone's aftermath. Active web citizens were able to direct outside readers to informative blogs in Myanmar's small blogosphere. Online communication was also crucial in letting the world know about citizen protests against the junta at the end of last year.

The potential is tremendous. Compared with 15% internet usage, global cell phone usage hovers around 50% (note: this is measured by cell phone subscriptions and doesn't take into account owners of multiple devices). In addition, 89% of NGO employees say they use cell phones in their organization's work, with 85% of those using their cell phone at least several times a day. The technology itself is rapidly improving as well: Cell phone industry leader Nokia employs a user anthropologist to develop cell phones to suit the needs of the local populations (such as adding a flashlight to phones sold in DR Congo, where electricity access is often unreliable). The necessary elements for citizen activism are out there – they just have to be effectively mobilized.

But there are technical hurdles. Kenyan bloggers note that getting reports in 140 characters, the limit imposed by twitter, is challenging. In most developing countries, where consumers rely overwhelmingly on pre-paid SIM cards rather than contracts, additional text messages cost money and credit shortages curtail communication. Accountability is also another challenge to Web-based activism projects. Ushahidi.com had virtually no problems with data poisoning, and was able to verify information with local NGOs. But the more widespread these tools become, the more likely that opposition forces will be able to take advantage of the situation, particularly in places with repressive governments.

Finally, there’s the issue of access. While worldwide microblogging websites like twitter and jaiku are stable, authoritarian governments that impose limits on free press can eventually restrict website access and block Web 2.0 applications. The Moroccan government, for example, has already blocked access to Google Earth - making creating a mashup like Ushahidi.com difficult. White African, however, is optimistic: “Blocking website access is a huge concern of ours. There’s almost no channel that can’t be shut off. But it’s hard for the government to keep up with what these channels are.”