At several of the BarCamp sessions at the Future of Civic Media conference Knight held with M.I.T., attendees spoke about using mobile technology and video and audio communication to bridge the digital divide.

The Web was thought to be the great leveler, but how about for people who don’t have a computer, or can’t read web site text?

In one BarCamp session on media and information in the developing world, 2007 Knight News Challenge Winner Ethan Zuckerman of Global Voices said the developing world is better wired for mobile technology than it is for Internet use on computers. His smart phone works faster in Ghana than it does in the U.S.

Knight News Challenge grants have supported such programs as Mobile Media Toolkit and News on Cell Phones. Knight Foundation Director of IT George Martinez and his team are also working on universal digital access in U.S. communities.

Below, 2008 Knight News Challenge winner Jessica Mayberry of Video Volunteers explains how illiteracy contributes to the digital divide.