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After the catastrophic, magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12th, millions of locals, volunteers and concerned citizens around the world used new media to mobilize and communicate with groundbreaking speed, scope, and influence. Social Media Mobilization Reporters and civilians in Haiti have relied on the latest technologies to update the rest of the world, seek help, and reach out to their families. Hours after the quake, with phone lines down, Skype and Twitter played a crucial role in connecting individuals with loved ones and mobilizing initial relief efforts. Trusted news sources like NPR and the Los Angeles Times have been updating their news streams in real time and assembling much needed help via Twitter. Anyone who wants to help can access Haiti Live (in conjunction with Ushahidi) to read tweets and texts from victims in Haiti requesting help and report actionable information directly to NGOs and volunteers.
Haitian radio DJ Carel Pedre has used his popular radio show as well as his Twitter profile to provide a voice for the millions of people affected by the earthquake. Pedre prompted individuals to tweet the names and phone numbers of their missing relatives, in an attempt to put families in touch in any way possible.
Online community maps, such as OpenStreetMap have enabled crisis responders and relief organizations to be more effective. Google Earth, with the help of GeoEye, has used its satellite technology to provide up-to-date maps for researchers and relief organizations. On January 17th, Google Earth released several high resolution images depicting the scope of the earthquake’s impact. Texting Millions Text messaging has played a unique and important role in both providing immediate emergency attention in Haiti and gathering support from the American public. Ushahidi has implemented a free text short code (4636) to which victims in Haiti can report emergencies and request immediate help. Outside of Haiti, cell phone providers are working with relief organizations to make donating money as easy as the touch of the “send” button. The convenience of this novel service is hard to ignore. By simply texting a code to an organization’s designated number, you can instantly support the relief efforts in Haiti. The donation is automatically charged to your cell phone bill. So far, text message donations have raised over $27 million for Haiti. Despite the wave of support, there is an astounding amount of work to be done. Hundreds and thousands of victims are separated from their families and without access to food and clean water. |
New Media Unites the World 
Community Mapping
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Meaningful Member of the Month: Steve Connell
As a poet, Steve has created original pieces for such organizations as People for the American Way, Global Green, AIDS Care, the Sierra Club, the American Cancer Society, and many others. His work has been featured on a wide variety of media outlets, including ABC World News, Good Morning America, MSNBC’s Hardball, HBO’s Def Poetry (twice), MTV’s World AIDS Festival, and BET’s Lyric Café. More Dare to Share: GameChanger Pat Aufderheide I just got the word that I was nominated as a GameChanger by members of the WeMedia community. The WeMedia conference is a place where cutting-edge strategies in collaborative and participatory media are featured. It's kind of a prestigious watering hole, in my little world. If enough people vote for me, I could be chosen to give a keynote at the WeMedia annual Contributed by Pat Aufderheide, Director of the Center for Social Media at American University, professor, and Meaningful Media Advisory Board member.
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We're launching a Leadership Corps program designed for inspired professionals who want to use their skills to make a difference while gaining valuable experience in social issue media. The Leadership Corps is an opportunity for like-minded professionals to join the Meaningful Media team. All Corps members who complete the program will receive a mention on our website and a lifelong membership to Meaningful Media. Click here for more information on how to apply and the types of opportunities available. Coming Soon: The Meaningful Mediapedia 2010 is on track to becoming a vintage year for Meaningful Media. We’re relaunching our website to spotlight the Meaningful Mediapedia, a comprehensive, searchable resource that aggregates and curates thousands of projects, organizations, and artists at the intersection of media and social change. It will allow you to discover and contribute media on the issues you care about most—music about human rights, video games about global warming, and films about mental health to name a few—and find resources to get your projects made and seen.
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Meaningful Media is a vibrant network of people committed to changing the world through media. We do this by BRINGING TOGETHER creators, distributors, viewers and advocates of meaningful media; EMPOWERING members with tools and resources to succeed; RESHAPING the media landscape through research, education and dialogue.