YouTube, blogs and social networks have brought about a shift in journalism - from the professional reporters, to the man on the street, according to Mashable.
Global Voices, in collaboration with Free Press Unlimited, the International Centre for Journalism (ICFJ) and the Guardian Project/Small World News, has developed the StoryMaker app, a mobile application that makes mobile journalism a little easier. The application was created to help existing and aspiring journalists develop their digital storytelling skills and will allow for citizen journalists to make their voices heard online, says Global Voices.
According to Rising Voices, a Global Voices project, the StoryMaker app is intended to facilitate the production and publication of videos, photos and audio content via Android-enabled phones. For the Global Voices community, the StoryMaker app allows for the combining of resources with other organisations, the outreach initiative says, adding that, as an open source application, everyone can contribute to making the app better.
The ICFJ provided content for the app, which includes over 60 training videos that aspirant journalists can download directly onto their smartphones. There are also various templates and multimedia examples to give newcomers guidance on how to structure an introduction or get the perfect shot. It also features all the tools necessary to create a comprehensive story.
App users will have access to live on-site demos, as well as a comprehensive mentoring programme. The content produced will be published on a specialised Web site.
Global Voices held various training-of-trainers sessions in target countries in late 2012. The aim of these sessions was to provide locals with the skills to train other journalists. The first training sessions with the app itself will take place in target countries this year.
The StoryMaker app is still under development, but will be launched this year in the Google PlayStore. The app will also be available through direct download on the Guardian Project's Web site.
At present, the app is available in English and Arabic, and the project will run in Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Iraq, but there are plans to expand it into other regions.
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