"Sub- Saharan Africa: The Other Social Media Revolution"

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Whilst the world's attention has been focused on the use of social media during the 'Arab Spring' a lesser known social media revolution has been emerging in Sub-Saharan Africa.

On February 13^th from 4:00- 5:30 pm in the Caledonia Room at the St. Andrew Conference, as a part of Social Media Week Toronto, Journalists for Human Rights will be hosting a free panel discussion that focuses on this alternative online revolution.

The event, "Sub-Saharan  Africa: The Other Social Media Revolution" will highlight what trends are happening in the social media sphere south of the Sahara and how social media has become a pivotal tool for development and the promotion of human rights.

Media development experts Sande Wycliffe, Ato Kwamena Dadzie, Kennedy Jawoko and Carissa MacLennan, who each bring a unique perspective on the use of social media in Africa, will be sitting on the panel.

Sande Wycliffe is a journalist born and raised in Kenya. He has become an integral part of a new project, "The Voice of Kibera." The project promotes citizen journalism through the use of cell phones in Nairobi's largest slum, Kibera.

Radio personality Ato Kwamena Dadzie, popularly known as the 'Jon Stewart' of Ghana, is considered to be one of best journalists in West Africa, as well as one of the region's most controversial bloggers. He's currently at the University of Toronto's Massey College on a Canadian Journalism Foundation Fisher Fellowship.

Kennedy Jawoko is an Canadian radio journalist who has worked extensively in both media and development in East Africa. He spent several weeks embedded in the Ugandan military to investigate Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army.

Carissa MacLennan is an expert media practitioner and education specialist for JHR and UNICEF. Recently appointed to a new position with the Jane Goodall Institute, Ms. MacLennan views social media as a powerful tool for education.

Journalists for Human Rights (www.jhr.ca) is Canada's largest media development organization and specializes in training journalists how to use their craft to better promote human rights, create societal dialogue and hold governments accountable. Over ten years JHR has directly trained over 2000 journalists across 17 African countries. The work of JHR reaches an estimated 20 million Africans weekly.

To find out more about the event, or to find out more about Journalists for Human Rights please contact Robin Pierro at [email protected] or 416-413-0240 ext. 204.