Instructor: Kathy Wilson

Exuma: A secure mobile communication platform, which can allow users to anonymously blog/post about any issues without the fear of personal repercussions. Exuma helps encourage the use of mobile phones as a tool for the creation and growth of grassroots journalism

My focus is in the creation of secure mobile communication platform, which can allow users to anonymously post/blog about any issues without the fear of personal persecution. Exuma will be a secure mobile communications platform, which can be used to help further encourage the use of mobile phones as tools for the creation and growth of grassroots journalism

My direction would first involve researching the political, economical and social, impact that mobile devices have had on developing countries. My research would review the usage patterns of mobile devices by people in developing nations. I would like to know how the mobile devices are being used to not only communicate with each other but as well as creating an communications platform which would act as an alternative platform to bypass the limitations of free speech within their nations.

What new and unique about your approach?

My approach in using mobile devices in the creation and growth of grassroots journalism is unique because it deals with one of the major obstacles, which prevents people from sharing their beliefs, and that is fear of persecution. This fear can be overcome if Exuma is able to provide a secure mobile communication platform, which will allow users to anonymously blog/post about any issues without the fear of personal repercussions.

Rationale:
My project is important because not only do journalists in African countries face intimidation, threats, jail, and even death, but so do the citizens of these countries. These citizens, who bear the brunt of corrupt, inept and oppressive governments are the ones who do not have the opportunity to have their voices and I believe Exuma, and even the discussion of a secure mobile communication platform, is a step in the right direction towards addressing this important issue. Developing Exuma is interesting because it uses an emerging technology, which has been taken for granted in developed countries and using it in an innovative way to address an age-old question of free speech. Exuma is relevant because the growth and influence of mobile devices on society will only increase. Now the question is how can you use mobile technology in a innovative way to address a social concern plaguing almost all the developing nations.