Linus Atarah reports on IPS : The role of citizen journalism as a new tool for democracy in developing countries was discussed at a seminar called Tuesday this week by child welfare and international humanitarian organisation Plan, the ministry for foreign affairs in Finland, and the Union of Finnish Journalists (SJL).

“Citizen journalism has not yet been brought to discussions on development policies,” Riitta Weiste, director of Plan Finland said at the seminar.

“Today we ask, does ICT guarantee the success of citizen journalism, and what are the challenges to the work and development policies of governments and NGOs? How could we use the tools of citizen journalism in reducing poverty and contributing to democracy?”

In African countries, citizen journalism still takes place largely within the context of radio broadcasting — and it is being used to great effect. Anyone with a mobile phone can call a radio station in Ghana to question a government minister about the promises he made election time.

Linus Atarah reports on IPS : The role of citizen journalism as a new tool for democracy in developing countries was discussed at a seminar called Tuesday this week by child welfare and international humanitarian organisation Plan, the ministry for foreign affairs in Finland, and the Union of Finnish Journalists (SJL).
“Citizen journalism has not yet [...]