The project Voices of Africa was launched in May 2007 by the Africa Interactive Media Foundation, and is supposed to stimulate journalism in Africa since the number of African journalists is still relatively small. At the moment, six countries are involved: Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Tanzania. Talented young men and women are being equipped with hightech cell phones and foldable keyboards, and after a coaching period of six months, they start working as citizen journalists. The implementation of the program is made possible through GPRS. With GPRS, you can upload photos, texts, audio, and video, and thus, make interesting information accessible to people all over the world. Participating Africans are called “Camjos”, a combination of “camera” and “journalist”. They document life in Africa, and write about interesting events and incidents. The project provides insight into Africa and promotes young talented people. It is incredible what projects can be realized with the help of the cell phone and GPRS!
The Spanish newspaper El Pais as well discovered citizen journalists. In this case, however, the whole thing seems a little strange to me: Amateur journalists can upload their own photos, texts and videos to “Yoperiodista” - the editorial staff chooses what is being published. Thus, citizens “work” free of charge, and pay to some extent text/multimedia message fees, and sometimes the photos or articles are not even published. Some people have a very high need of recognition… However, citizen journalists can also raise awareness for grievances that are not important to professional journalists: On the site of El Pais you can see e.g. a bus stop with a bank which has become completely overgrown. Perhaps after the publication of the photo, someone has pity with the poor bank and takes care of the removal of the green stuff.
Unfortunately, paparazzi as well are encouraged by the new technical features of cell phones. Many newspapers offer money for good amateur photos. If you are involved in an accident it is always better to take a photo first and then help. After all, you might make some money with it. Many of the photos and videos however are just uploaded to YouTube. Sometimes it is scary at what occasions people take their cell phones out and film.
Thus: Down with tabloid journalism and three cheers for the Voices of Africa project!