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- Description:
- The protection of the environment is a matter of global concern that calls for global measures. Improved and effective information about the environment and communication within the globe is vital because it broadens public awareness and participation in the debate on environmental challenges facing human kind today. And the upsurge of electronic networking through computers which is generally called the information superhighway appears to be a development that can precisely address this need. However, as more and more environmental information on a global scale continues to be stored and controlled electronically, developing countries risk becoming more marginalized within the rapidly evolving world economy due to lack of computers and low levels of computer literacy among the majority of their population. The question is: what are the likely consequences of this situation bearing in mind the understanding that environmental degradation does not affect Africa only or but the whole globe?. This paper gives a situational analysis of the information superhighway in Africa and suggests policy issues which need to be addressed both internationally and regionally if the expectations environmental communication are to be realized.
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper emphasises the role that communication technology plays in the present day world. It embraces Marshall McLuhan's idea of "the global village" as a result of the communication technological strides. The paper states that the term information superhighway incorporates all the existing networks into one system, but at the same time it is multi dimensional, unlike the traffic highway which projects two directions of movement. It moves to underscore pluralism that exists as a result of advanced information technology. This rush towards information technology, is largely interlinked to economic factors. The paper advocates for research in indigenous communication to augment modern communication. It argues that Africa's potential in indigenous knowledge and practices remains largely untapped, adding that information and knowledge can be effectively transmitted using indigenous forms of communication, which are characterised by simplicity of technology and directness of interaction. The paper ends with an assertion that indigenous forms of communication should be integrated with modern communication systems for sustainable development.
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- The thesis of this paper is that the information superhighway, largely represented by the Internet is not the panacea for all communication problems today, it holds great promise for linking many parts of the world. Unfortunately for the South, and Africa in particular, the increased ease of global communication has not reduced the quantity and intensity of negative news about them. The paper cites instances where the Western media have capitalised on negative aspects of Africa. This state of affairs, has led to the fuelling of Afro-pessimism by non-Africans and Africans alike. Although the prospects for change exist, the absence of serious approaches by African states will reduce the pace of progress. Diplomacy, national news management, public relations, and non-govemmental organisations are some of the approaches being adopted by individual states, each with varying degrees of success.
- Date Issued:
- 1995-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- Advances in communication technology, bring with them new characteristics which often expand the horizons for information exchange among people. The evolving information superhighway is promising to break the physical barriers to the free flow of information. This has serious implications for developing countries. As many parts of the world adopt the new technologies of the information superhighway African countries should be cautious and not too readily abandon their traditional communication methods, which are not necessarily anti-thetical to the Internet. As exciting as the new technologies are, they do not always portend positive developments.
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review