Al Jazeera launched an experimental website based on Ushahidi platform to track and aggregate information, about the Gaza conflict. Ushahidi is a cross-platform mash-up that allows to aggregate geotagged information via sms, e-mail,twitter and web-forms and position it in Microsoft Virtual Earth. Ushahidi is an open-source initiative started by Kenyan bloggers during the escalation of violence in Kenya and it was also successfully deployed in conflict in DR Congo.
I was looking for this kind of platform for a long time, as it not only allows to position the aggregated information on the map, but also in timeline and it generates news categories. I’m only a bit disappointed about the circumstances. This kind of platforms are definitely a way forward to a new breed of citizen journalism and activism and can be used to support many different causes.
I would like to see a facebook plug-in developed in the future and mash-up the service further with facebook groups.This would allow not only to track the real-time-real-place information on ground of the conflict, but for example also to organize the protests around the world as well.
Check the AlJazeeras War On Gaza service here
or go directly to Ushahidi.com to find out more about the platform. Click here
