Technological Developments and NWICO I NWICO I NWIO I NIIO I Media I Dr Shahid Hussain (Part-7 of 7)

Dr. Shahid Hussain

28 May 202107:11

Summary

TLDRDr. Shahidusan concludes the series on the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) by discussing technological developments over the past four decades. He highlights how advancements in information and communication technologies (ICTs), like the internet and mobile phones, have addressed some of the concerns raised in the NWICO debate. While access to information has improved, new challenges such as the digital divide, surveillance, and the misuse of personal data have emerged. The lecture also touches on government monitoring and the dominance of global North-based social media platforms in controlling big data.

Takeaways

📚 The lecture discusses the conclusion of the series on the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO), focusing on technological developments.
📅 Technological advancements over the past three to four decades have had a significant impact on the NWICO debate, which began in the 1970s within UNESCO.
🌐 Technological developments, especially in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), have improved access to information globally, though challenges like the digital divide persist.
📱 The rise of the internet and mobile phones has enabled more people to seek and share information, reducing the one-way flow of information from the Global North to the Global South.
🔍 Although access to information has improved, new issues have arisen, such as the digital divide, gender divide, illiteracy, and concerns over privacy and data security.
💻 The digital divide highlights the economic and social inequalities in access to technology and information between different populations.
📊 Increased access to digital media has raised concerns about privacy, as both governments and private companies can track individuals’ activities online, using personal data for various purposes.
⚖️ Governments have enacted laws to monitor communication, often citing national security as justification, raising concerns over surveillance and citizens’ privacy.
🏢 The headquarters of major global social media platforms are largely based in the Global North, giving these regions significant control over global data and raising issues related to information power dynamics.
🎓 The lecture concludes a series of seven discussions on NWICO, covering topics like the McBride Commission, Western responses to NWICO, and the implications of technological advancements.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video lecture?
-The main topic of discussion is technological developments and their implications on the New World Information and Communication Order (NWIICO), focusing on the changes over the last three to four decades since the debate began in the 1970s.
When did the debate about the New World Information and Communication Order (NWIICO) begin?
-The debate about the NWIICO began in the 1970s within UNESCO.
What are some of the major technological developments mentioned in the lecture?
-Major technological developments mentioned include the rise of the internet, mobile phones, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which have significantly improved access to information.
How have technological developments impacted access to information?
-Technological developments, particularly ICTs, have increased access to information by enabling individuals to seek, receive, and share information more easily. This includes greater internet access, which now reaches around 40% of the world’s population.
What issues persist despite technological advancements in information access?
-Issues that persist include the digital divide, gender divide, illiteracy, security concerns, and the unequal access to information between the Global North and Global South.
What is the digital divide, and why is it a concern?
-The digital divide refers to the economic and social inequality regarding access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). It is a concern because it perpetuates inequality in access to information and communication tools.
How has the digital age affected freedom of speech?
-The digital age has made freedom of speech more controversial due to the rise of new communication channels, government surveillance, and commercial practices that threaten privacy and personal data security.
What concerns are raised about personal information and digital media?
-There are concerns that personal information is being monitored and sold by companies, and that governments are increasingly implementing laws that legalize surveillance, all under the pretext of national security.
Why is the location of global social media headquarters a significant issue?
-Most of the major global social media platforms are headquartered in the Global North, raising concerns about their potential control over big data, which could be used to strengthen their dominance and further widen the information divide.
What are some new concerns raised due to technological innovations in communication?
-New concerns include the misuse of citizens’ personal data, increased surveillance by both governments and corporations, and the continued imbalance in information flow between the Global North and Global South.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Technological Developments and the New World Information and Communication Order (NWI-ICO)

This paragraph introduces the topic of the video lecture: the relationship between technological advancements and the New World Information and Communication Order (NWI-ICO). The speaker explains how significant technological developments in the last few decades, particularly since the 1970s, have influenced access to information. These advancements have allowed more individuals to seek, receive, and impart information, particularly through the internet and mobile phones. This progress has begun to address the one-way flow of information from the global north to the global south, a core issue in the NWI-ICO debate. However, despite these technological advancements, challenges such as the digital divide, gender inequality, and security risks remain.

05:00

📱 The Digital Divide and Privacy Concerns in the Digital Age

The second paragraph focuses on the ongoing challenges posed by technological advancements, particularly the digital divide—social and economic inequalities related to access to information and communication technologies (ICTs). It highlights the increasing complexity surrounding freedom of speech and privacy in the digital age. Governments and private companies have intensified their ability to track individual behavior, opinions, and social networks via social media. The commercialization of personal data and the rise of government surveillance have raised concerns about the protection of personal information, prompting new debates around privacy, security, and civil liberties.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO)

The NWICO is a global debate initiated in the 1970s concerning the imbalances in information flows between the developed 'Global North' and the developing 'Global South.' In the script, NWICO is discussed in terms of technological developments that have both addressed some concerns, such as access to information, and created new challenges, such as the digital divide and surveillance.

💡Technological Developments

This refers to the innovations over the past decades, especially in information and communication technologies (ICTs), that have significantly impacted global access to information. The script emphasizes that these advancements have allowed more people to access, produce, and share information, though they have also introduced issues like digital surveillance.

💡Digital Divide

The digital divide is the economic and social inequality regarding access to ICTs, such as the internet and mobile devices. While technological developments have improved access to information, the script notes that inequalities persist, especially in terms of who can access and effectively use these technologies, exacerbating issues in less developed regions.

💡Access to Information

This concept refers to the ability of individuals to seek, receive, and share information. The video highlights that technological innovations, such as the internet and mobile phones, have expanded access to information, partially addressing one of the NWICO's original concerns. However, issues like security and control over personal information still remain.

💡Information Flow

Information flow refers to the movement of information across global regions. The NWICO debate initially focused on correcting the one-way flow from the Global North to the Global South. The script discusses how technological developments have somewhat balanced this flow but also introduced new power dynamics, especially with social media companies tracking user behavior.

💡Surveillance

Surveillance in this context refers to the monitoring of individuals' activities, especially online. The video script discusses how states and private companies use technological developments to track people’s behaviors, opinions, and networks, raising concerns about privacy and personal security.

💡Social Media

Social media platforms play a crucial role in the modern information and communication landscape. The script explains that these platforms, many based in the Global North, collect and sell user data, which has become a major concern for privacy and security in the digital age.

💡Digital Age

The digital age refers to the current era, characterized by the widespread use of digital technologies and the internet. In the video, the speaker talks about how this age has transformed access to information but also raised new issues like digital surveillance, government control, and privacy concerns.

💡Freedom of Speech

This refers to the right to express one's opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship. The script addresses how the digital age complicates freedom of speech, as new forms of communication emerge, alongside government surveillance and control of information flows.

💡McBride Commission

The McBride Commission was an international effort that contributed to the NWICO debate by examining global communication imbalances. In the script, this commission is mentioned as a key part of the historical context of the NWICO discussion, particularly in relation to the flow of information between developed and developing nations.

Highlights

Introduction to the topic of New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO).

Technological developments over the last 3-4 decades are significant in the context of NWICO.

UNESCO initiated the NWICO debate in the 1970s.

Technological developments have had direct effects on access to information.

The growth of the internet and mobile phones has allowed more people to seek, receive, and impart information.

Technological advancements have helped correct the one-way flow of information from the Global North to the Global South.

There has been a significant increase in internet access, reaching 40% of the world population.

Issues such as the digital divide, gender divide, illiteracy, and security concerns remain despite technological advancements.

Access to information has been improved, but new concerns have arisen with the spread of information technologies.

The digital divide is a major concern, creating economic and social inequality in accessing communication technologies.

Freedom of speech is becoming more controversial with the rise of new communication technologies and governmental control.

Private companies and governments increasingly track individuals' behaviors and personal data through digital platforms.

Concerns over privacy and the selling of personal information by private companies are on the rise.

Government surveillance has increased globally, justified by national interests.

Major social media platforms headquartered in the Global North play a significant role in controlling big data and strengthening their dominance.