The World of Communication: Engaged or Excluded?

Abstract

Freedom of communication is threatened by globalization. In rich countries ease of access is offset by ownership of the means of communication and corporate efficiency imperatives which are stifling human and intellectual diversity. Poorer countries have restricted or no access to knowledge and culture via electronic media. As technical progress offers better means to communicate ideas, the opportunities to do so are being restricted. The author uses a Question and Answer approach to debate how to exchange information in the ‘knowledge society’. He raises issues of access control, dissemination and making best use of the localized means of communication to which one does have access, with specific reference to ‘Interlignes’ and its proposed charter.