ACRC

The Economist has released a special report on telecoms in emerging markets, such as Africa, India and China. What’s interesting is how mobile money services have mushroomed in the developing world to enable the transfer of funds in a cheaper way than traditional banks:

“Mobile-money services allow these small retailers to act rather like bank branches. They can take your cash, and (by sending a special kind of text message) credit it to your mobile-money account. You can then transfer money (again, via text message) to other registered users, who can withdraw it by visiting their own local corner shops. You can even send money to people who are not registered users; they receive a text message with a code that can be redeemed for cash.” – from The Economist

Read more: The power of mobile money & the special report – ‘Mobile Marvels’ (26th September ‘09)

Not sure where to start your research?

You may like to check the newly updated subject guides for Communication Research and Journalism for some ideas.

Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University has started a project called Media Re:public which “examines the current and potential impact of participatory news media”:

Consisting of an overview paper, seven issue papers and four case studies, Media Re:public looks at how the new media landscape has presented ongoing challenges and successes. To download these papers, click here.

2 articles on how technology was used in very different ways in the Mumbai terrorist attack:

• Investigations have revealed that the terrorists used Google Earth to learn their way around and  prepare for the attack. Indian security agencies have complained that Google Earth “exposed Indian defense and other sensitive installations”. However, the counter argument is that the areas which were attacked are prominent tourist areas and are also easily available on tourist maps. (Computerworld, 1 Dec ‘08)
• Twitter, a text-based microblogging service, was used by people trapped in hotels during the attack. It also turned out to be useful for circulating news and eye witness accounts on the attack as well as “calls for blood donors to go to specific hospitals, unconfirmed death counts and search pleas for the missing”.  The downside of this was that the frenzy also led to misinformation and conspiracy theories. (Financial Times, 29 Nov ‘08)

Time recently published a list of the best 50 websites of 2008, ranging from ‘Advice & Facts’, ‘Handy Tools’ to ‘Hobbies & Interests’ sites.

Curious which websites made the list? Have a look here!

Google recently reached a settlement with Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) to drop their law suits against Google over its Book Search programme. In return, Google will be forking out US$125 million to set up an independent “Book Rights Registry” to compensate copyright holders and pay authors for use and sale of their works.

Read more about this landmark agreement:
Economist: Digital books – A new chapter
Channel News Asia: Google settles copyright dispute with authors, publishers
Search Engine World: Google Turns Another Page In Book Scanning Program With $125 Million Settlement
Google: Book Search Copyright Settlement

The Economist,  4 September 2008

The number of mobiles phones with access to the internet is accelerating in developing countries.  This article explores the social factors that lead to this increase as well as the various ways in which mobile phone users in developing countries are utilising their phones.

MediaPost, 20 December 2007

As of late last year, 19% of teen boys reported uploading content to video-sharing sites like YouTube and other online venues, while just 10% of teen girls admitted to engaging in this pastime. That finding surprised researchers because teen girls are more active users of other social media like blogs and photo-sharing sites.

Bizreport, 20 December 2007

Watching television shows online is becoming very popular, with Internet users demanding more professionally produced content and interest in user-generated content waning.

AFP, 16 November 2007
The emergence of “smartphones” has put the Internet, music and videos in the palm of the consumer’s hand, but the technology will need a flow of advertising cash to reach its full potential.

C|Net News, 1 November 2007

MySpace and Google have issued a press release that, confirming rumors, announces that the News Corp.-owned social networking site will be part of Google’s new OpenSocial developer initiative.

Wall Street Journal, 30 October 2007

In a move likely to kick off an intense debate about the future shape of the cellphone industry, Google wants to make it easier for cellphone customers to get a variety of extra services on their phones — from maps to social-networking features to video-sharing.

New York Post, 28 October 2007

A half-dozen entrepreneurs are suing a Queens man, charging him with coun terfeiting and selling versions of their products. Here’s the catch: The products aren’t real, and the alleged crimes took place in a virtual world on the Web.

MediaPost Publications, October 2007 issue

The notion that books, newspapers and magazines will be replaced by electronic media is as foolish as the belief that the visual arts will one day consist entirely of computer graphics.

Financial Times, 20 October 2007

The New York Times recently announced that almost all its online material would now be free. FT.com has just moved to a system of free access for occasional visitors. And Rupert Murdoch has strongly hinted that the Journal might do something similar. The theory is that advertising revenue will outstrip subscription revenue.

MediaPost Publications, October 2007 issue

Perhaps you think rumors of print’s impending demise are exaggerated. They aren’t. But don’t worry. You won’t miss it either.

Adweek, 11 October, 2007

“Media shops have been arguing the case for years. Now, a new study released today at the Association of National Advertisers’ annual conference in Phoenix concurs: Media is the new creative.”

Reuters, 11 October 2007

“An alliance between hundreds of newspaper sites and Yahoo Inc has helped publishers increase advertising, but it will saddle them with unproven technology and costs them some independence and flexibility.” 

Reuters, 21 September 2007

‘Thailand is seeking to block clips on video-sharing Web site YouTube that accuse the chief royal adviser of masterminding last year’s bloodless coup, a top Justice Ministry official said on Friday.’

BBC, 12 September 2007

‘Facebook’s plan to make user profiles available to search engines has provoked anxiety amongst some users and attacks from privacy campaigners.’