NEWS in the dominant language in the Visayas and Mindanao is now available on free mobile data access through Talk ‘N Text (TNT) in partnership with the Facebook-led initiative, Internet.org.
Sun.Star, the only network of community newspapers in the Philippines, is the first Internet.org partner-news organization outside of Metro Manila. Sun.Star provides news and information in English and Bisaya, the most used language in the central and southern part of the country.
Those who wish to get their Sun.Star news and information may do so from their mobile phones or tablets, even without connectivity, when they go through Internet.org through Talk ‘N Text, the value brand of Smart Communications Inc. The service is also available to subscribers of Smart and Sun.
The Internet.org mobile app, launched last March in the Philippines, is a groundbreaking app that provides Filipinos with free access to an initial list of 24 informative and useful websites – including Facebook and Messenger – so that more are able to benefit from the wealth of information available through mobile Internet. Sun.Star is the newest addition to the roster of Internet.org sites available in the Philippines through TNT.
Nini Cabaero, Sun.Star Network Exchange (Sunnex) editor-in-chief, said, “We’re excited to be part of Internet.org because we share the same dream of making information available to more Filipinos.” Sunnex runs www.sunstar.com.ph and is the new media department of Sun.Star Publishing Inc.
“While broadsheets are based in Manila, we are located in the many communities of the Philippine archipelago. Our website carries news and information from 12 major cities. Our inclusion into Internet.org would make our content available to more people outside of the national capital,” Cabaero added.
Michelle So, SuperBalita Cebu editor-in-chief, said, “We provide our readers with the choice of language they like their news delivered – English or Cebuano – which other news websites cannot provide. SuperBalita content leans toward stories about crime, sex and violence, showbiz and entertainment, neighborhood goings-on and local governance, all easy reading stuff.”
Internet.org encourages content in the local language to connect the two thirds of the world without Internet access.
“We're very happy that Sun.Star's mobile website will be included in the roster of Internet.org content partners. We believe that to reach out to new Internet users, web content is best appreciated when it's local, relevant and in the local language. Sun.Star’s balanced mix of English and Bisaya news content fills the need for relevant content for the VisMin region, and will hopefully encourage more new users to log in and use information sources on the Internet,” said Jim Ayson, senior manager for Internet and media partnerships, Smart.
Isolde Amante, Sun.Star Cebu editor-in-chief, said, “Cebu is a dynamic, creative community that faces the challenges that come with rapid growth. It's a privilege to bring its stories to a larger community of readers, wherever they may be in the world.”
Internet.org is the brainchild of Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, who posted this message during the Philippine launch, “We’re one step closer to connecting the world as we launched Internet.org in the Philippines. Now everyone in the country can have free access to Internet services for health, education, jobs and communication on the Smart network.”
To access the Sun.Star website at www.sunstar.com.ph, a TNT, Smart or Sun subscriber will just have to download the Android app of Internet.org. Once downloaded to the phone, the user opens the app and is brought to the list of free sites. Non-Android users may access the site by typing www.internet.org. Once on the app or website, just click on Sun.Star and you will find relevant news and information about your community and the country.
For step-by-step instructions and other information, just text INTERNET to 9999 or visit talkntext.com.ph/internetorg. Mobile data must be turned on to access Internet.org mobile app and site for free. (Sunnex)