The EBU Radio Department today launched the Breaking News Toolkit, a set of online aids to assist journalists in extreme news environments with limited or damaged local infrastructure. The platform was launched at the EBU Radio News Conference, at BBC Bush House, in London.
Intended for use in the event of breaking news stories that demand swift mobilisation of media in logistically challenging situations, the platform aims to 'communitize' journalists onsite and their editors at home.
EBU Radio Project Manager Matthew Trustram said: "The Radio News Group asked us to look into ways to use interactive web technologies to help connect their journalists in challenging environments, and we are pleased to have delivered this through the Toolkit."
Journalists can subscribe for alerts via email or Twitter so that when each event-specific toolkit is issued, they receive an email containing log-in details for a number of services, including a secure wiki, an audio file exchange platform and contacts database, as well as a unique Twitter hashtag.
The wiki will act as a central hub, and will function as a 'virtual whiteboard' so users can share useful practical information, such as the location of power points and internet connections, or to share experiences, such as problems crossing sensitive international borders.
Only EBU journalists will have access to the secure area, while less sensitive information, such as useful links and onsite observations, can be shared over the public Twitter platform.
The project was born amid the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, in January 2010, when EBU Radio first trialled the use of a wiki for journalists to share useful information.
The new Breaking News Toolkit significantly expands the functionality of this service, with greater emphasis on security of information, ease of access and restricted use of data.
For more information and to subscribe to the service visit http://rnews.ebu.ch/toolkits/
(Source : European Broadcasting Union)
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