KABUL (SW) – A new smartphone application has been developed by a group of Afghan developers aimed at ensuring safety of the journalists in the conflict zone.
According to the private firm behind this innovation, Darak, the software can be installed on Android and iPhone devices, and it is necessary to update the software at least every two weeks to identify the position of the journalists.
The head of Derek, Agha Mulook Sahar, said the software consists of two parts, one for the office of the journalist and the other one for the journalist in the field. This application can only track the position of the correspondent who is connected to the Internet. If the correspondent wishes not to report his location, he or she can terminate his connection to the Internet or sign-out of his account.
If the journalist does not have access to smart phones or the Internet, they will be given separate devices to run the app.
A number of reporters welcomed the launch of such a software. Two such journalists, Yalda Dervishi and Tawfiq Siddiqui, said the software will help improve coordination between journalists, support institutions for journalists and security agencies.
According to them, this software can indicate the position of a reporter to his/ her family or office at a time of danger or explosion.
A while ago, NAI – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, had announced that between 2015 and 2018, 53 journalists and media workers were killed in Afghanistan.
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