In a recent webchat hosted by the US Department of State, Patrick Butler, vice president for programs at the International Center for Journalists (ICJT), answered questions on the impact digital technology was having on journalism and press freedom world wide.
The transcript makes for very interesting reading since Butler addresses several of the issues which came up in our discussions leading up to the presentation. Specifically he addresses some of the ethical considerations which come into online journalism.
EG
March 8, 2008 at 11:02 am
It’s interesting how, in his first answer, Butler draws attention the changing audience…
“In some parts of the world, such as Africa, the changes are happening more with mobile phones than with the Internet. Many people who might not have had access to news before are getting it through their mobiles. Everything from how crop prices are fluctuating so farmers can know when to bring their produce to market, to information about demonstrations that are meant to hold leaders accountable. In this way, many parts of the world are ahead of the U.S. ”
Given that he’s used his first answer to address the “audience” issue, I’d like to suggest that this whole “digital technology movement” is happening for, and because of, the audience.
In terms of press freedom, we think of the US (or the “west”) as being ahead of Africa. his next comment:
“When I was in Botswana recently, I mentioned to a journalism student at the university where we were working that I wanted to talk to mobile phone companies about how to get news delivered via mobile phone. He said “You mean like this?” and showed me the latest headlines from one of the leading daily newspapers on his mobile.”
show that information really can reach an audience that it wouldn’t have been able to before.
LC
LC