information flows H aving considered the findings on how changing media access and content are influencing the “supply side” of the information ecosystem of Mon State, and having noted some of the significant quirks of the trust factors in the ecosystem, it is important to look at the notion of how information flows once it enters the ecosystem. Information flow is closely linked to trust patterns and the ways in which communities organize themselves. Where information from media or elsewhere enters the ecosystem in just a few places, e.g. a handful of radios, mobile phones or TVs accessible to just a handful of people, it is useful to understand how that information is subsequently shared and exchanged across the community. This can be helpful to stakeholders who seek to redress unequal or uneven access to information. This section of the research that explored the flow and exchange of news and information in Mon State revealed that while primary information sources varied by location and context, the mode and locations in which individuals in Mon State share information are remarkably similar. In terms of sourcing, most people in urban areas get their news through TV. In rural and former conflict areas, radio is the most common source. Once information enters a community, however, its flow is overwhelmingly face-to-face sharing through word of mouth. Moreover, this information flow largely takes place in the home (78% of respondents), and to immediate friends and family. Indeed, only 28% of respondents saw themselves as a source of news for the greater community, indicating that most information exchange tends to stay close to home. DIAGRAM 2 TRUST AND RELIANCE ON MEDIA SOURCES (FORMER CONFLICT AREA, MON STATE) CIRCLE SIZE: RELATIVE PORTION OF POPULATION RELYING ON EACH SOURCE FOR NEWS MORE TRUSTED FRIENDS AND FAMILY (WORD OF MOUTH) MYANMAR NEWS SERVICE WORK COLLEAGUES INDEPENDENT NEWS SERVICES INTERNAT’L NEWS SERVICES ELDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS LESS TRUSTED Base: 491 respondents who do not use the Internet People watching a movie on TV at Bus Station – Zay Yah Mon. 36 INFORMATION ECOSYSTEMS in transition: a case study from myanmar part one: research findings 37 how to inform, empower, and impact communities INFORMATION ECOSYSTEMS in transition: a case study from myanmar how to inform, empower, and impact communities PART ONE: RESE ARCH FINDINGS