[DDN] Africa Interactive Media Foundation: Young Kenyans Become Mobile Reporters

[Janet Feldman]

*Press release: Africa Interactive Media Foundation *
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/111/78/19935.html

Four young Kenyans become mobile reporters

Nairobi, November 21, 2007

"This is a great opportunity to promote responsive journalism and democracy
in Kenya", says Munene Kilongi. He is standing in a street in Nairobi while
he is sending his report on the elections in Kenya from his mobile phone.
Kilongi is one of four Kenyan mobile reporters who are joining the Voices
of Africa project, an initiative of the Africa Interactive Media Foundation.

Each reporter is provided with an advanced mobile telephone, a portable key
board, a telephone credit and a monthly stipend. The reporters produce
articles, photos and videos and upload the content with the use of their
mobile phones. In this way they are given the chance to report on African
issues they consider to be newsworthy.

The Africa Interactive Media Foundation is helping young Africans build up
a career in media, using mobile technologies that are now becoming
available to the continent at a rapid pace. This process serves to support
good governance, transparency and the development of democracy in Africa.

Voices of Africa was piloted for several months in Kenya, Mozambique, South
Africa and Ghana. This period was used to master technology. Now, thanks to
a donation of ASN Foundation, the project is gaining momentum in Kenya. As
soon as Africa Interactive Media Foundation is able to secure additional
financial support the project will be rolled out in the other three
countries already tested. The ultimate goal of the Foundation is to get
mobile reporters in all African countries.

The content that is produced by the mobile reporters can be seen on the
website www.voices-of-africa.com. This website is developed and maintained
by Africa Interactive with the technical support of SKOEPS.com.

-------------------------------------------------

More background information on the goals of the Africa Interactive Media
Foundation can be found on the website
www.Africa-interactive-Foundation.com.

For more details please contact :
Africa Interactive Media Foundation
Mr. Pim de Wit, tel. +31 23 5315040
Jansweg 42E
2011 KN Haarlem, The Netherlands
pimdewit at africa-interactive-foundation.com 



submitted by Janet Feldman, kaippg at earthlink.net