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How the Haiti story is being told online

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 15 January 2010

With communications in Haiti badly damaged by Tuesday's devastating earthquake people on the island are using the internet to get their voices heard, and they are shaping the international news agenda.

Quake survivors use the web to communicate. (Credit: Twitter/@firesideint)

As landlines remain cut off in Port-au-Prince, the web and social networking sites have become the primary method of communication for individuals, aid workers, bloggers and charities.

Twitter has become a focal point for real-time information on the rescue efforts, with newspapers around the world using the miroblogging site to get first-hand accounts of the crisis.

Haitian-born hip-hop star Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) has urged his 1.3 million followers to "pray for the people of Haiti n me please" and to donate money at yele.org.

Richard Morse (@RAMHaiti) is using Twitter to mobilise efforts inside Port-au-Prince, as well as telling the outside world what is happening. He tweeted: "Bodies are being brought to the cemetery. Decomposing bodies everywhere."

Another Twitter user, @firesideint, has described the terrifying aftershocks and the start of looting: "The sun is rising. We could use some hope today. When will that aid be distributed? Looting is increasing."

Many have uploaded pictures and video from the disaster zone to sites like Flickr and twitpic.com; getting ahead of established news agencies and media organisations in reporting the Haiti rescue operation.

People in Port-au-Prince have also uploaded clips from their mobile phones to YouTube, direct from the rubble, showing the extent of the devastation.


A photo of a damaged building in Haiti. (via Flickr/@troylivesay)

A photo of a damaged building in Haiti. (via Flickr/@troylivesay)

Several Facebook groups have been set up - some to raise money, others to share mobile numbers and to help relatives trace their loved ones. One message left on the wall at Earthquake Haiti reads: "I hope my family in Haiti is okay, I can't get in touch with them....."

Bloggers in other parts of Haiti are using the internet to get the story out and to help in the search for missing people.


A man takes digital photos of the devastation. (via Flickr/@troylivesay)

A man takes digital photos of the devastation. (via Flickr/@troylivesay)

Troy Livesay, who has also posted dramatic photos, writes: "The amount of the current suffering caused by the earthquake cannot possibly be known right now ... the numbers cannot be estimated. But, if the way they deal with day to day hardship is any indication - the people of Haiti will rise.

"Pray for the trapped, pray for the hurt. Send your money to organizations sending medical help."

Another describes the ongoing search for survivors. Ellen in Haiti blogs: "One of the most difficult things has been the not knowing.  We've heard from lots of people looking for loved ones.  I've been able to help a couple of people locate those they were worried about and were in Fond des Blancs, safe and sound."

Mobile phone technology is making it easier for people around the world to donate money to help the emergency effort. In the US, more than $7m USD has been raised via text message pledges alone.

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