Latest update: 14/06/2010 

- Africa - communication - Internet - Kenya - technology


Internet Pioneers Lead the Way

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A blog created in 2008 in Kenya has become a worldwide sensation: Ushahidi - 'testimony' in Swahili- is a free software that collates information sent in by the public. Any one can text or email about a crisis, catastrophe or during an election. Information is gathered on maps that are accessible online. It made the headlines recently, during the Haiti earthquake, which saw some victims rescued thanks to texts and reports published in real time.

FOCUS
By Stéphanie Braquehais
The battle for Qusair
20/05/2013 - SYRIA

The battle for Qusair

In recent days Syrian government forces and rebel fighters have struggled for control of the town of Qusair, located 10 kilometres from the Lebanese border on a vital supply route. Fighters from the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah have reportedly lent support to the Syrian army, while Sunni gunmen allegedly crossed the border to reinforce the rebels.
Seven Days in Tibet
20/05/2013 - CHINA

Seven Days in Tibet

Tibet has been off-limits to journalists since the Chinese government brutally suppressed riots in the region five years ago. France 24's regional correspondent Cyril Payen managed to get a seven-day visa to enter the region. What he saw lends weight to the complaints of the Dalai Lama and human rights organisations, who say Tibetan culture is being erased.
Building collapse casts glare on working conditions
17/05/2013 - BANGLADESH

Building collapse casts glare on working conditions

More than 1100 people were killed when the Rana Plaza collapsed on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. The accident has raised questions over the future of the country's garment industry, a vital sector for Bangladesh's economy. Many in the country are calling on stakeholders like factory owners and western retailers to do more to avert similar catastophes in the future.
Libyans fight for property rights
17/05/2013 - LIBYA

Libyans fight for property rights

Property rights in post-Gaddafi Libya are among the many causes of friction following the end of the former dictator’s 42-year rule. A law in 1978 prevented Libyans from owning more than one house, meaning those without a home could take from Libyans who had several properties. Now, former owners are coming back to claim the properties from their occupants, and some are using force to do so. Our team in Tripoli, Marine Casalis and Huda Abuzeid, report.
France probes Swiss bank over tax cheats
16/05/2013 - FRANCE

France probes Swiss bank over tax cheats

In another instance of governments cracking down on tax evaders in hard economic times, France has asked Swiss authorities for help determining whether 353 French clients of the Swiss bank, UBS, were trying to cheat the taxman by having undeclared assets in Switzerland. On Wednesday May 15, official figures from the EU's statistics office showed the French economy had contracted by 0.2% in the first quarter of this year, officially entering a recession.

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map kibera and ushahidi

by Anonyme - 15/06/2010 - 15:38

Thanks much for the coverage. Just want to clarify, Map Kibera and Voice of Kibera operate separately from Ushahidi. Erica Hagen is affiliated with Map Kibera. So am I ... though I'm wearing an Ushahidi t-shirt right now.

-Mikel Maron

nice piece, unfortunately not factual

by Anonyme - 15/06/2010 - 14:37

Your piece is about two different initiatives: Map Kibera (http://mapkibera.org) and Ushahidi (http://www.ushahidi.com). Its a pity that you conflate them.

Thanks for covering Ushahidi

by Anonyme - 15/06/2010 - 13:29

Thanks for covering Ushahidi and Voice of Kibera! But, please be careful with the facts. You have some factual errors. For one, Erica Hagen is not with Ushahidi. She's the co-lead on the Map Kibera (www.mapkibera.org) project and leading the Voice of Kibera initiative, which is just one part of Map Kibera. When you show the youth mapping, you indicate them as Voice of Kibera, but it should say Map Kibera. Of that group, only a subset is working on both projects. The Voice of Kibera site uses the Kibera map created by the mappers and is run on the Ushahidi platform and is intended to be a place where anyone from Kibera or with information relevant to Kibera can send information via SMS or web. Overall, Map Kibera should I received the proper credit and identification of their work, which also uses new technologies and the Internet!

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