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

Summary

Dr. 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.