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Bio

livingroom_100x113.jpgIn 2006, I founded ZapBoom Consulting,  which specializes in the analysis of how digital tools like cell phones and the Internet can be used in social change campaigns in developing countries.  I have researched and written reports on topics ranging from online citizen journalism to blog advocacy and internet censorship.  I have also performed in-country Internet monitoring and international conference organizing. 

You can contact me at MaryCJoyce AT gmail DOT com.

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Client Buzz

Feedback from Zapboom Clients:

"Mary's passion and energy for digital activism is obvious in every action and initiative she makes."...read more

"Right away she cut to the core of our needs."...read more

"She deserves much of the credit for organizing a tremendously successful event."...read more

"She was able to turn a potentially complex technical task into something that brought all the different viewpoints together and channelled everyone's energy in a collaborative manner."...read more

Digital Activism Projects

Current CV

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A Case Study about Korea's OhmyNews

Posted by Mary on 19/06/2007 at 14:26

OhmyNews founder Oh Yeon Ho addresses staff (credit: Kwon W.S.)

I was recently hired by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society to write a 30-page case study on the online Korean citizen journalism phenom OhmyNews. This is really good for me because usually I learn about digital citizen activism by experience (Free Alaa, Free Monem) rather than by study.

This project is forcing me to ask and answer the hard questions about how and why online citizen actions succeed. For instance: What are the particular characteristics of Korean society that has allowed online citizen journalism to thrive? What has the effect of OhmyNews been on Korean politics? What can we learn from OhmyNews that might help citizen journalists in other countries?

I'll be blogging my research process so check back later.


I´ll wait for it

Sent by on 19/06/2007 at 03:20 PM
Pablo Albarracín

Hi Mary. I think that the digital citizen activism is a great tool to develop news self-interest that become in a new political social diary. The problem is that the access to all digital technologies there is not massive, there are a lot of people that don´t know the technologies and their uses.

The technologies devices must to be less expensive for a real massive digital revolution.

Chao Mary,

Pablo.


always a context

Sent by on 19/06/2007 at 04:07 PM
Mary
Hi Pablo. You're right that online journalism is not the best way to help citizens express themselves in all societies. In fact, my guess is that one of the reason it's so popular in Korea is that there is really high internet penetration there. (A quick look indicates that in 2006, about 67% of Koreans were internet users). Political openness is also a factor. I definitely plan to write this case study bearing in mind cultural context.

Correction

Sent by on 25/06/2007 at 12:48 PM
Mary

JanJan is an independent Japanese internet daily newspaper not affiliated with OhmyNews.  OhmyNews Japan launched in August 2006.

oh my buzz

Sent by bicyclemark on 20/06/2007 at 07:44 PM
I Remember years ago when OMN was making the international news here in there.  Ive been subscribed to them for a little over 2 years.  But in that time Ive noticed they have not gained a significant international role when it comes to citizen journalism.  They seem to be doing great in Korea and I still like reading some of the work that comes from that site.. but oh my news has never lived up to the initial hype.. and Im not sure exactly why.  Therefore.. your study is of great interest.

OMN abroad

Sent by on 21/06/2007 at 02:54 PM
Mary
Bicyclemark, you bring up and interesting point about the validity of the OMN model outside Korea (even when implemented by the OMN folks themselves). Since it was launched in 2003, OMN Japan (known as JanJan) has not shown the success of the original and OMN International (English news) has not caught on particularly well either. I will be looking into what factors were crucial for OMN's success throughout the research process.

For your research

Sent by on 25/06/2007 at 01:07 PM
Pablo Albarracín


Hola Mary. May you contact with KIPA, Korea Software Industry Promotion Agency:

http://www.software.or.kr/index.html

good luck!

Chao,

 

Pablo 







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