[Roundup by Lova Rakotomalala originally published at Global Voices Online]
As the political crisis in Madagascar drags along and international awareness of the situation fades, traditional media and new media in Madagascar came together to debate standards of collection and distribution of news in times of crisis.
The free exchange of ideas, power of personal testimonies, and the quality of interventions during the meeting produced an enriching conversation that highlighted the need for a collective effort to report complete, factual information despite unfavorable conditions.
This meeting built on the foundation posed by the organizers and the participants of the first Malagasy Barcamp in October 2008.
One of the most striking aspects of the meeting was the substantial attendance despite recent reports from Reporters without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists that many journalists and bloggers received threats to themselves and their relatives during the crisis. Participants took a stand for freedom of expression, knowing well that their names and faces were now public knowledge and that members of former and current administrations were present in the room.
The discussion had to happen because such authentic, powerful and apolitical testimonies were too important to not be told publicly and on record.
Here is an overview of the time line of the event:
An estimated 80 to 90 people came from 5 different regions and 4 different countries.
Alain Andriamiadravola, former journalist and now new media enthusiast, opened a meeting that turned out to be a free-flowing conversation with plenty of dissident opinions and unexpected authorities in the field of information and journalism.
I gave a quick overview of collaboration between traditional media and new media worldwide, its tremendous impact during crises and our hope that such a collaboration can come to fruition in Madagascar. A smaller meeting that was part of the American Cultural Center-driven "Friday talk" between journalists and bloggers allowed for an open friendly criticism of both sides and showed that there are room for partnership and mutual growth.
The poignant part of the meeting came when citizens from all over the country gave their account of how they used personal media to share what they saw during the crisis and how it cost them. Andry explained that his thirst for raw information drove him to be where trouble was brewing. Jentilisa explained that it was very odd that on black Monday (Jan 26th) people would announce that a building was burning even before it actually happened, hence suggesting that some events were probably planned and not just random acts of protests. Avylavitra told a story of how he feared for his life on March 28th when a soldier hold him at gun point and demanded his camera. Jaona from Fianaratsoa explained how his blog was mentioned at a public meeting as a threat to social order in Fianarantsoa and should be shut down. Many other bloggers/twitterers shared similar stories of major hardships while covering the crisis.
Thierry Andriamirado explained the increased relevance of online social networks in dispatching news about the crisis. Thierry was the first to exhaustively live-tweet the first tragic event of the crisis, "Black Monday," and explained that he felt compelled to share the stories in real-time for a time-stamped digital record of the events.
Former minister of culture and communication Tsilavina Ralaindimby emphasized that such testimonies and citizens' willingness to report troubles are civic acts and must be protected at an institutional level.
Barijaona Ramaholimiaso argued that his personal ethic as a blogger demanded that he reveal his true identity and pointed out that there is another form of pressure in Madagascar, the social peer pressure that prevents people from freely expressing their minds.
Christie Turner and Affick Gassard presented an initiative to promote the development of community radio in Madagascar. Some remote rural areas were aware of the development of the crisis thanks to a radio center that received online news feed through dial-up connection and broadcast the information to rural communities.
Claire Ulrich gave a complete report on censorship online in the world building on examples from Iran and China, emphasized the importance of protecting first and foremost the well-being of journalists and bloggers. She also warned the audience to be mindful of the fine prints in the upcoming bill on the regulation of online communication in Madagascar. She also pointed out that both communities, traditional and new media, ought to come together to ensure that the memory of journalists killed during the crisis, like Ando and others, is never forgotten.
Finally, Harinjaka, Arinaina and Tahina presented the Foko Ushahidi platform, explaining how it came about and how SMS reports to a local phone number can be utilized for crisis reporting, but also other urgent humanitarian news and election monitoring.
Journalists also weighed in. Randy Donny, journalist and advocate of citizen journalism argued that there are no difference between journalism and citizen journalism in Madagascar. If anything he said, citizen journalist covered the crisis better because they were not under direct pressure from whichever regime ruled at the time.
The consensus at the end of the meeting was that the flow of information was/is severely affected bythe crisis. The information community came to a common agreement that we all needed to make a conscious effort to fight censorship and provide news free of government pressure. It was also an opportunity for people who followed the crisis through blogs to meet in real life the people behind the coverage. For instance, Jacqueline, in the audience, was still beaming from chatting with blogger Jentilisa. She said:
I read his blog everyday since January. It is just awesome to put a face and a personality on such remarkable people.
Stay tuned for more on the current state of media in Madagascar.
Here are additional reports from the meeting:
Madagascar matin ( print only version)
[Originally posted on my blog Dago Tiako]
The second edition of BarCamp Madagascar was held on saturday, July 4th, 2009 at Ivotel Ambohidahy. Bloggers, journalists, citizens wanting to know more about new media attended the workshop.
This year Foko has choosen the topic "Crowd sourcing info in Madagascar” presented by Lova Rakotomalala. The new media which is a digital communication tool for spreading information using blog, twitter, youtube, flickr… The new media which is more and more appreciated due to its quick and instant flow is also growing in Madagascar. The need of new media has been highlighted during the crisis of Madagascar. Some boggers then took the floor to share their experiences. We could hear Andry (Foko Antananarivo), Jentilisa, Avylavitra, Stefane (Foko Antananarivo), Jaona (Foko Fianarantsoa), Patrick (Foko Toamasina), Gaetan (Foko Antsirabe). The main purpose was about the Madagascar crisis. It seems like all of these bloggers exactly knew that they were running into troubles and big risks trying to take pics and eye-witness riots but could not restrain themselves from blogging.
We also had the priviliege to hear about different social networks: twitter, facebook, friendfeed… the web 2.0 by Thierry Andriamirado. By the way, it was the first time for me to meet @tandriamirado and I was really pleased. A blog is not enough if none knows about its existence, we do need social networks to get the interest of the followers, to share and to spread information.
The former Minister of communication, Tsilavina Ralaindimby attended the Barcamp 2.0. He acknowledged that Malagasy bloggers have done a great job throughout the crisis.
After a short break, the workshop kept on with Chris and Afick from the region of SAVA. They talked about a current project of establishing social radios in remoted areas in Madagascar. Working with Radio Active and BBC, Radio Ciel of Antalaha is now efficient.
Claire, from Global Voice in French, talked about different cases of censorship all over the world. She said that nowadays, governments are aware of the power of internet and new media. This is the reason why they have created new systems to block disclosure of some information that may harm them. We recently heard about the case of Iran elections and the arrest of bloggers. Other cases of censorship are disappearance of the site or the bog, or some articles of the blog, or censored names which will be changed into unknown letters. How to avoid censorship? Claire advised each blogger to make sure to know the laws and regulations of their country in order not to give reason to the government to arrest them. Herdict.org has been created for each one of us about websites or blogs that do not run properly.
I attended the first edition of Barcamp Madagascar but blogging and stuff were too new for me to get really involved. This year was exceptionnally different because I sincerely felt concerned. Tahina and I should have even participated by presenting Foko-Ushahidi but I do not really know why at the last moment another guy has been invited by Stefane to talk about it. Anyway, it was cool.
Ushahidi which means “Testimony”is a social network which Foko has decided to work with inviting all citizens of Madagascar to report and to share any event, case, abuses… they have eye-witnessed by logging on http://foko-ushahidi.com or sending sms to (+261) 33 40 691 11.
I was so glad to meet, for the first time, Patrick from BUEC Toamasina (left on this picture with me). Nice to meet you dear :)
A big hand to all of us guys :)
A few pictures of BarCamp Madagascar last Saturday have been showing up on Flickr, mostly from the bloggers r1_lita and Ariniaina. Here's a little preview, but do check out the full photosets here and here:
(Photo by r1_lita)
Popular blogger Harinjaka speaking about Foko's collaboration with Ushahidi. (Photo by r1_lita)
Thierry Ratsizehena (on the right) live tweetting the workshop (Photo by Ariniaina)
Lova Rakotomalala talking about expectations. Photo by Ariniaina
[Originally posted on my blog harinjaka]
I was just back from a business trip Friday and saw Lova’s announcement on Facebook about his Seminar/workshop on crowdsourcing information in times of crisis in Madagascar… It’s a BarCamp.
To be honest, I decided to attend this BarCamp_mada 2.0 by curiousity and also to support my friend Lova Rakotomalala who was the guestblogger of this time event. I haven’t joined any BarCamp yet before, and missed the very first edition in Madagascar last year.
The keynote speakers was the former journalist at L’Express de Madagascar Alain Andriamiandravola … opening the un-conference with a short welcoming kabary. I have missed that ...
I arrived when Lova Rakotomalala the master of the ceremony called for increased collaboration between journalists and bloggers, especially in times of rapidly unfolding events.
-Avylavitra, @jentilisa, @saveoursmile, but also FBC from all over the country talked about their personal experience of on site reporting and photo shooting during the protests.
-Thierry Andriamirado @tandriamirado made a terrific presentation on the role of social network in distributing information ( twitter, facebook, friendfeed)
-The former minister of Culture Mr Tsilavina Ralaindimby talked about new media and the war of content, he have end his talk by saying that FOKO will be a part of the commission of codification of the internet but Also the journalism codification in the country... have to be discussed but the invite is so cool.
-Christi Turner (of radioactive) have presented Radio Meva Ankarana 98.0 FM, Antsaravibe, Madagascar - Christi has just finished four years of community development work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in northern Madagascar. She coordinated the creation of a community radio station for the village, the first fully solar powered, wholly independent community radio station in the country. she and her team showed us some Radio station equipement wich was really interresting …her fluency in the Malagasy language is quite remarkable too.
-Lalah and Tahina were supposed to explain the details of Foko-Ushahidi project and how they manage the site but I have steal their time accidentally … after Claire Ulrich @claireinparis speech on the current state of online censorship worldwide.
Lova convinced me to participate and I knew that I had to share something. This is the main rule of a BarCamp right ? @pakisse suggested me to talk about MEGASEEDS and how we will bring peace and save Madagascar from political violence by planting high-yield rice…
After hesitation, I just took few minutes to explain to the crowd about how Foko and Ushahidi gathering and the chance we have in Madagascar on been part of Ushahidi beta program since almost a year now. We are also one of the countries and project that are using Ushahidi Engine to report violence.
My hope is that the violence happened in Madagascar on February 2009 won’t happen anymore again and many Malagasy people will be using the Foko-Ushahidi tool for other causes and events like Malagasy next election on 2010 for example.
People across the country can report fairly on the elections and relate events through SMS, email, and the web.
Foko-Ushahidi open many possibility for citizen reporting in Madagascar. @jelona, the coordinator from FBC Fianarantsoa is already volunteer for mobile health initiatives.
Many issues and organizations can be connected. I am wondering what’s will happen if we are using Ushahidi tool for corruption reporting in Madagascar or for conservation of the biodiversity mapping using GPS technology and digital camera, to store biodiversity data collected by rural communities... but those are an early thoughts and need huge financial and human resources.
I can say that Foko and Ushahidi team made big progress on this issue. Lalah,Tahina and all Foko members in field did a great step forward and effort too, and there is still a lot to do : like increasing awareness and vulgarising the phone numbers for the SMS’s, translating the web site in other language, especially in Malagasy to reach rural communities and more … involving private sectors like local phone "foza orana" operators and public sector like NGO’s and local communities.
During this Barcamp, my friend @RandyDonny from Randydoit share his strong experience in journalism with the crowd and close his session with a quick shot about a Radio Station that me and him are actually working on this time on furthering peace in Madagascar by dissipating rumors, avoiding propaganda and focusing attention on hard facts. Work's in progress …setting up Media for Peace and Human Dignity.
All this listed above were the part of the experience I felt during that camp. Also, I'd like to congratulate Lova Rakotomalala and Foko activists for bringing something great and beneficial for the youth in the country.
#TWISI: The Way I See It... (photo courtesy Avylavitra)
Barcamp_mada 2.0 was a huge success!
I have just realize how strong is FOKO - Madagascar today. @pakysse did a great Job as community organizer and "blogger evangelist".
It was really impressive to see all those Foko members … in real life.
The quality of BarCamp_mada 2.0 attendees were various and picture out the technology scene in Madagascar today.
Everyone in the audience could communicate in twitter language and enthusiastically engaged in each discussion on ideas, lesson learned from Madagascar 2009 crisis and the new media in 140-character.
A wifi connection problem and lack of plugs handicapped the live twitting and live blogging but the snacks and beverages was finger-licking so the organizational team is forgivable.
The hashtag #barcamp_mada or #madagascar was among the top trending topics on Twitter, but also #barcamp. I myself made a lot of mistakes that day, I have written #baramp instead of barcamp sometimes ... It's because of my sunglasses.
Today at Ivotel in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, a bloggers BarCamp is taking place with the theme "Crowdsourcing information during the crisis in Madagascar". Organized by Foko Madagascar, the BarCamp will draw lessons from the experience of citizen journalism reporting during the power crisis that shook the country at the beginning of this year.
For more information, here's the announcement written by Lova Rakotomalala at a
The Malagasy blogging community is coming together with professional journalists and people curious about new media to discuss how citizen media can contribute to a more complete coverage of the crisis in Madagascar.
We will exchange ideas, lesson learned and shortcomings of digital media to inform and warn during crisis or events ( such as elections etc…).
The format of a BarCamp will be utilized but panelists will present their experiences and expertise beforehand to pose the bases of the conversation:
The projected order of presentation is as follow:
1) Former journalist of L’Express Madagascar Alain Andriamiadravola will open the un-conference with a short welcoming kabary
2) Lova Rakotomalala will present a call for increased collaboration between journalists and bloggers, especially in times of rapidly unfolding events.
3) Cyber Observer and pakysse will discuss his personal experience of on site reporting and photo shooting during the protests.
4) Thierry Andriamirado will present the role of social network in distributing information ( twitter, facebook, friendfeed)
5) Christie Turner ( of radioactive) and Rafiq (Foko) will present community radio intiation and management.
6) Lalah and Tahina will explain the details of Foko-Ushahidi and how they manage the site.
7) Tsiry will explain that conservation effort must go on despite the crisis and showcase Zebu Nation project.
Patie will elaborate on her photoworkshop with kids with Unicef
9) Claire Ulrich will present the current state of online censorship worldwide.
We expect powerful testimonies from many other bloggers ( Randy, Jentilisa, Avylavitra, saveoursmile and Thierry) and an engaged conversation with journalists on the ethics of news reporting.
Ivotel is offering the conference room free of charge and Moov.mg is generously providing free high speed wifi. In turn, they hope to see a valiant online discussion about connectivity in Madagascar and a debate free of political propaganda.
Let’s honor the request.
The first BarCamp Madagascar took place last Saturday, October 4th, in the capital city of Antanarivo with great success. One of the organizers, Joan Razafimaharo (@jogany on Twitter) is guestblogging for us, sharing some of her thoughts and impressions on the BarCamp Madagascar that we hope will inspire our discussions next Saturday:
Starting a Barcamp was an opportunity to showcase our skills and abilities to the world in the field of technology but also to prove to ourselves, as the very active but isolated Malagasy tech community, that we are taking part in the development of our country. Since Madagascar is not going to be connected with high-speed internet until early 2009, the best place to promote and hire participants for an "unconference" was elsewhere than online.So we had a "one-by-one" approach and took the time to meet personally each participant before the Big Day to discuss with them the challenges and expectations we were all hoping to get from the Barcamp. Within few days, the list extenteded itself from activist open source developers "hiding" in the cosy town of Fianarantsoa, to a blogger from Majunga who used pictures taken from a mobile phone and a podcast to give medical treatment to a baby, to high-school students training for the 2009 programers Olympics in Bulgary and to a brilliant and altruistic developer who has been working alone and looking for help on a Malagasy MySpell project for 3 years.
We asked everyone to bring their geeky t-shirts and sandwiches to this free stage. With the internet connection offered by Madagascar's first internet service provider, we expected the discussions to be very heated starting by the reactions this type of sponsorship would spark. The Web 2.0, a concept that has been studied through its technical aspects but also by demonstrating new projects focused on social networking, is still very unknown in a country where only 20,000 people have access to the internet and 72% are living on 1$ a day. Educating and Developing were some of the topics largely discussed by the participants who never hesitated to take control of a panel.
Trying to find solutions together to lower the costly .mg domain name so that locals can really appropriate/afford it; elaborate partnerships between globally acclaimed translators and Linux developers to make an authentic Malagasy dictionary on technology words; joining forces to create a 3rd voice between the governement and powerful businesses and get involved in the drafting of Malagasy internet regulation laws (on infrastructures and content).
Later, we asked the attendees their thoughts on this memorable day, and one of the answers that will definitely motivate us to plan a second Barcamp Madagascar was:
With only 18,000 spots at Malagasy universities available for 30,000 youths, it is a necessity to start sharing as openly and freely as possible so everyone will know that a new generation is ready to take over the country.
-BarCamp Madagascar Twitter summary: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=Barcamp_MDG
-Flickr Tag: Barcamp_MDG
-BlipTV: Foko, Barcamp_MDG
-BarCamp Madagascar Wiki: http://www.barcamp-madagascar.net/doku.php
-BarCamp Madagascar Blog: http://www.barcamp-madagascar.net/antananarivo
Participants & Sessions
- Diana Chamia: Blogging made one of my dreams come true : helping the others.
- Avylavitra: How to use Citizen Media to promote democracy in Madagascar?
- Pierre Maury: Bibliothèque Electronique Malgache
- Jentilisa: Global Voices Online Malagasy
- Tosoa Sifaka: Let's speak Lojban
- Pati: Attending GIYS, 2008. Brussels with Rising Voices
- Hery-Zo Rakotondramanana: web 2.0 applications
- Mahefa Randimbiason - Malagasy Spell Checker
- Robe: Hi Tao, new Malagasy community news gates
- Fy: Eboons.com, a new way to use social networking
- Njaka: Salon Ebit, Journées de la Jeunesse
- Ariel Elyah - How to promote your website all over the internet?
- Joan Razafimaharo: What about starting Creative Commons Madagascar?
