Reporters Without Borders pledges to defend, aid, and improve the safety of journalists working around the world, but right now they’re busy making their own news with a brilliant new awareness campaign. The free-press advocacy group has rolled out print ads designed to bring light to the injustices journalists face under the worst political regimes in the world. Calling these “print ads” doesn’t exactly tell the whole story, however…

Each full-page photo features an infamous dictator and gives a bit of background on what journalists have to deal with under his watch. Each ad also contains a QR code, allowing readers to scan and place their iPhones over the dictator’s mouth. The mouth then begins to talk — but it isn’t the mouth of Ahmadinejad of Gaddafi — it’s a journalist’s voice explaining the dangers and injustices they deal with in the field. “Because some mouths will never speak the truth,” the ads announce. Then, they seamlessly redirect readers to the web to learn more about the campaign and to support freedom of the press through purchase of a Reporters Without Borders’ photography book.

Sure, QR codes in print ads are nothing new, but it’s always cool to see a clever and innovative new application for them. It’s amazing what a little black and white box can do — and what a powerful message can then be spread across multiple channels. Maybe, just maybe, the QR code is mightier than the sword.

PHOTO CREDIT: osocio /osocio.com

(via AdFreak)