Uganda Speaks: Technology and the Right to Reply

The developing world often gets poor representation in the western media. From well-meaning but simplistic representations by charities and advocates to enduring stereotypes of dark continents and poverty, developing countries are frequently denied the right to be seen as the complex, varied and human places they are.

While academics, advocates and commentators debate this problem all the time, the actual people being discussed have historically lacked a voice. But new forms and innovative uses of technology mean this is finally changing. People in developing countries are increasingly able to access platforms that allow them to represent themselves, challenging simple generalisations about their lives and homes. In today’s Digital Diversity, Olivia O’Sullivan examines the heated response to the Kony2012 campaign and spotlights the work of Al Jazeera and FrontlineSMS in trying to get Ugandan voices heard above the noise of the debate.

Digital Diversity is a series of articles from kiwanja.net about how mobile phones and other appropriate technologies are being used throughout the world to improve, enrich, and empower billions of lives...