Liberia has a blackboard newspaper!

London: In a novel approach to disseminate news, a Liberian newspaper is being produced on blackboards instead of publishing the news items in the traditional way. The handwritten paper -- Daily Talk -- is the brainchild of Alfred Sirleaf, a journalist who wanted to get daily news and information to citizens in Liberia who cannot afford a TV or radio, The Sun reported. Every morning he goes into a shack which he describes as his "newsroom" and neatly writes the latest stories in chalk on blackboards to share it with readers. To collect news items, Alfred has to scrutinise different newspapers, TV, radio and internet and select the most important developments. It takes hours to complete this meticulous process. Alfred`s service has been a vital source of information in Liberia`s capital Monrovia ever since the first edition in 2000 in the midst of a bloody 14-year civil war. As well as the news headlines, the Daily Talk also features politics, sports and even pictures -- stuck on blackboards. It also has a "letters" page, where readers write their own messages on to the board throughout the day. IANS