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Mobile advocacy captures attention in Bangladesh
Development and advocacy activists in Bangladesh were amazed to see how powerful can be a small mobile phone when they watched a film on “10 Tactics for Turning Information into Action” Thursday (11 February, 2010) at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
 They learned how bloggers in different countries used this miniature version of information technology to expose corruption, intimidation and violation of rights to create awareness among the people at local and global levels against such practices.
They also learned how to use this technology to reach a large segment of audiences and communicate effectively to drum up support for a cause.
Centre for Media and Communication Studies (CMCS) screened the film at the conference room of the DRU. Representatives from NGOs, media houses and development agencies attended the program.
The film, produced by Tactical Technology Collective, an international NGO, provides original and artful ways for rights advocates to capture attention and communicate a cause. The 50-minute film, which documents inspiring info-activism stories from around the world, is targeted towards rights advocates, NGOs, activists, bloggers, citizen journalists and independent media.
Besides the screening of the film, there was demonstration of a set of cards, with tools, tips and advice, for information activists to work through as they plan their own info-activism. There was also an interactive session attended by Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul, CEO Baishakhi television, Robaet Ferdous, Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Dhaka University and Dr. Ananya Raihan, Executive Director of D-Net. CMCS Chairman Sohel Manzur moderated the session.
Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul said although the film is targeted towards advocacy and rights activists, this can be very much effective for the journalists as well.
He praised the way the film suggested use of commonly available technology and techniques and said there is need for a well organized campaign to ensure use of these techniques by the local NGOs and advocacy groups.
Robaet Ferdous said when a new idea or concept emerges in the society people need to be informed about it to overcome the obstacles. “Dissemination of information is very much important. This film can play an important role in turning information into action,” he added.
Ananya Raihan highlighted the importance of information for development of the country and said there is need for proper implementation of the recently enacted Right to Information Act.
Sohel Manzur said there was a time when credit was the main tool for empowerment and income generation of the poor. But the approach has changed, he said, adding the donors and development agencies now consider information as the tool for poverty reduction. They have come up with different models of disseminating information among the poor, so that they can use the information for their empowerment and income generation, he noted.
He also said the film will be dubbed in Bengali and local experiences will also be incorporated in the film to make it an effective tool for advocacy, rights and development activists.
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