Redes Comunicacionais Locais

STI UFF

About this app

Local Communication Networks is a multiplatform app (Android, iOS and Web) created to promote the production of quality news and information in small towns and communities that do not yet have their own media outlets.

The result of research initiated in 2021 in six municipalities in the interior of Rio de Janeiro — São José de Ubá, Laje do Muriaé, Macuco, São Sebastião do Alto, Comendador Levy Gasparian and Rio das Flores —, the project aims to mitigate the so-called “news deserts” by encouraging media literacy, training local communicators and engagement around useful and reliable news and information about the place itself.

Main features:

• Smart geolocation
Get the news from your region first, with personalized filters by city or neighborhood.

• Collaborative publishing
Residents, independent journalists and media collectives can publish news directly through the app, strengthening the local voice.

• Works even with limited internet
Optimized structure for poor connections: you can access and save content offline whenever you need.

• Information checking and media education
Verification tools and tutorials help combat fake news and encourage critical content consumption.

• User profiles
Create your profile, follow topics of interest and interact with the community.

• Simple and accessible interface
Light navigation, comfortable reading and compatibility with screen readers.

Why use it?

• Get closer to your community: find out what's happening around you in real time.

• Participate in the creation of news: send topics, photos and reports directly from your cell phone.

• Strengthen local democracy: plural, independent information without intermediaries.

Current status:
The controlled test version already includes the essential functions: user registration, news publishing and geolocated feed. New features — comments, real-time alerts, and thematic channels — are coming soon.

Download Local Communication Networks now and help transform your city into an informed, critical, and participatory territory.