Information Ecosystems in Transition: A Case Study from Myanmar. How to Inform, Empower and Impact Communities. Part One: Research Findings
Internews (2014), 56 pp.
"The research focuses on three themes. Firstly, it identifies and maps the information environment in Mon State in terms of technology and media use across urban, rural, non-conflict, and former conflict geographic areas. Secondly, the flow of news and information is examined to see how individuals receive information and then make decisions about sharing it with others. Thirdly, the report examines the dynamics underlying the trust and influence of news and information among individuals in Mon State." (Summary)
ABOUT INFORMATION ECOSYSTEMS, 5
Eight Critical Dimensions of Information Ecosystems, 6
ABOUT THE RESEARCH, 8
Relevance of Mon State Study to Myanmar as a whole, 11
From Burma to Myanmar: Information Ecosystems at Work, 12
Information Ecosystems under Military Rule, 13
Ecosystems in Political Transition, 16
FINDINGS, 19
Use of Media and Technology: Key Findings, 21
Information Flows: Key Findings, 21
Understanding Trust and Influence: Key Findings, 22
Interpreting the Key Findings, 22
Electricity Availability Limits Use of Technology, 24
Mobile – Significant Expansion Despite Cost, 25
Internet Awareness Low - Half the Population of Mon State Doesn’t Know What The Internet Is, 27
SMS and Internet Penetration – Complicated by Illiteracy and Lack of Written Language, 28
Television – Overtaking radio in Urban Mon State But Half of Mon State Residents Have Never Watched, 28
Most Trusted Broadcaster: State Television MRTV, 30
Radio - Most Trusted Source for Information in Former Conflict Areas, 30
International Radio - Perceived Bias in Coverage of Conflict in Rakhine State, 32
Print – the need for local language publications, 34
INFORMATION FLOWS, 36
Trust and Verification – No Single Source is 100% Trusted, 38
Information Flow Mapping, 41
In Formation Flows In Action - Case Studies, 41
Case Study 1: Earthquake in Sangaing and Mandalay Regions, November 2012, 42
Case Study 2: U.S. President Barack Obama's Visit to Myanmar, November 2012, 44
Case Study 3: Communal Violence in Rakhine State, June - December 2012, 46
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, 48
Abbreviations and glossary, 52
Appendix 1: Research Design, 54
Eight Critical Dimensions of Information Ecosystems, 6
ABOUT THE RESEARCH, 8
Relevance of Mon State Study to Myanmar as a whole, 11
From Burma to Myanmar: Information Ecosystems at Work, 12
Information Ecosystems under Military Rule, 13
Ecosystems in Political Transition, 16
FINDINGS, 19
Use of Media and Technology: Key Findings, 21
Information Flows: Key Findings, 21
Understanding Trust and Influence: Key Findings, 22
Interpreting the Key Findings, 22
Electricity Availability Limits Use of Technology, 24
Mobile – Significant Expansion Despite Cost, 25
Internet Awareness Low - Half the Population of Mon State Doesn’t Know What The Internet Is, 27
SMS and Internet Penetration – Complicated by Illiteracy and Lack of Written Language, 28
Television – Overtaking radio in Urban Mon State But Half of Mon State Residents Have Never Watched, 28
Most Trusted Broadcaster: State Television MRTV, 30
Radio - Most Trusted Source for Information in Former Conflict Areas, 30
International Radio - Perceived Bias in Coverage of Conflict in Rakhine State, 32
Print – the need for local language publications, 34
INFORMATION FLOWS, 36
Trust and Verification – No Single Source is 100% Trusted, 38
Information Flow Mapping, 41
In Formation Flows In Action - Case Studies, 41
Case Study 1: Earthquake in Sangaing and Mandalay Regions, November 2012, 42
Case Study 2: U.S. President Barack Obama's Visit to Myanmar, November 2012, 44
Case Study 3: Communal Violence in Rakhine State, June - December 2012, 46
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, 48
Abbreviations and glossary, 52
Appendix 1: Research Design, 54
