AudiencScapes

A news service in central India uses mobile phones to overcome barriers like illiteracy and lack of internet access. Reporters file their stories and users listen to them on the phone. CGNet Swara trains people from the tribal populations to become citizen journalists and create a credible and accessible news service.By Paromita PainThe mobile phone revolution in India is actively changing the way people are participating in news production. A new digital news service launched in February of this year employs mobile phones to both receive and broadcast news stories. CGnet Swara, as the project is called, serves residents of Chhattisgarh, a heavily forested state in central India whose tribal populations live primarily off the land. CGnet Swara is providing basic journalism training to tribal villagers to build a corps of citizen reporters. The service uses mobile technology developed by...

A significant ICT upgrade for a few of Zimbabwe’s municipal governments may improve their ability to communicate and deliver services. While the installation is part of a larger project, the cities and small towns stand to benefit from the investment in their infrastructure.By Tawanda KaromboZimbabwe, Harare -- A massive project launched by a German development organization is helping to bridge the technology divide in Zimbabwe’s local municipalities. When complete, it will principally result in the installation of broadband internet, e-mail and area networks in the government offices of a handful of the country’s smaller cities and towns.The German Technical Corporation (GTZ) is inviting companies in the ICT sector to submit proposals for the installation of internet and area networks in Gweru and Kadoma (both in Zimbabwe's Midlands region) and Kariba (in Mashonaland West province)....

The West African Media Development Fund opens it doors to facilitate the growth of media in the region. AudienceScapes interviewed the fund’s CEO about their plans to sow the seeds of a vibrant and pluralistic media sector.By Kwami Ahiabenu IIThe growth and development of the media as a business venture in West Africa is hindered by a number of factors. The region possesses a limited professional capacity to produce journalism, operating a media outlet is expensive, access to credit facilities is limited and the cost of borrowing is typically high. These factors are threatening the growth of pluralistic media in the region. To solve some of these challenges, media funds have been established to provide media organizations with affordable and readily available lines of credit. Examples of media funds active on the continent include country-based funds like the Tanzania Media Fund,...

Tawanda Karombo reports on Econet’s plans to significantly upgrade its mobile network in the capital. The company just received a multimillion line of credit from a Swedish creditor. by Tawanda KaromboHarare, Zimbabwe— Buoyed by rising demand for services in the country’s major urban centers, Zimbabwe’s biggest telecommunications company, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has secured a US$25.6 million loan facility and plans to plow the money into upgrading the mobile operators’ network in Harare.The majority of Econet’s subscribers are in the capital Harare. The company has more than 4 million subscribers on its network and is eyeing further expansion into the country’s outlying areas. Chief executive officer, Douglas Mboweni, has already revealed plans to surpass 5 million subscribers by year end. However, rivals Telecel and NetOne are not too far behind, reporting in previous weeks that they...