New media helped connect in the aid and recovery effort following last year's devastating earthquake in Haiti, but radio remained the most effective communications tool, though it proved even more effective in partnership with some of those new technologies. That is according to a just-released report from the Knight Foundation.
While interactive maps, crowd-sourcing information, texting and handheld GPS devices all played a part in the effort, the report cautions against calling it a new media success story, citing the fact that there was a lack of coordination and understanding of just how to use some of the new tools, given that it was a new experience for the new media.
"As in past crises around the world," Knight said, "radio continued to be the most effective tool for serving the information needs of the local population."
That said, Mark Frohardit, VP of humanitarian programs for Internews, which teamed with Knight on the study, said that some of those new technologies enhanced the effectiveness and reach of radio.
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