This report examines how Apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Viber have proven popular for several reasons. For one, in many countries, unlimited use of one or more of these applications is often included in mobile data plans, which means using them does not incur additional data charges. Additionally, the fact that these applications are now encrypted and users can determine who receives content provides an added level of security. This is especially important in environments with limited freedom of expression, where circulating news publicly on Media can lead to negative repercussions. In these environments, EMAs can be a way for citizens to access and share high-quality news and information more securely. This capacity is reason enough for many news outlets to develop an EMA publishing strategy.
