From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
Katy Clarke
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Katy Clarke 15:14, 12 Oct 2004 (EST)
Topic: The development of new media technologies in Third World countries
Annotated Bibliography
Young, J 2001, ‘MIT’s Media Lab, a Media Darling, Seeks Global Role and New Missions’, The Chronicle of Higher Education, vol. 48, no. 7, pp.41, viewed 8 August 2004, <http://proquest.umi.com.gateway.library.qut.edu.au/pqdweb?index=0&did=000000089302053&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1091947472&clientId=14394 >.
- In this journal article the author, Jeffrey Young, discusses the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT), Media Laboratory. The article provides an insight into the research this Media Lab undertakes, but looks, more importantly, at the Lab's missions to explore the possibilities of developing digital technology in poorer countries. The article also looks at the appropriateness of digital technology in developing countries and how they can be used to improve the health and lives of the people.
Aguolu, I E 1997, ‘Accessibility of information: a myth for developing countries?’, New Library World, vol. 98, no. 1132, pp. 25, viewed 8 August 2004, <http://proquest.umi.com.gateway.library.qut.edu.au/pqdweb?index=0&did=000000086925960&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1091947618&clientId=14394 >.
- In this journal article, Aguolu, broadly discusses the modern inventions of media communications. However, the main topic of discussion in the article is the presence of these modern inventions, such as telecommunications and computers, in developing countries. By comparing the uses and demands of the technology in both developed and developing countries, Aguolu argues that one of the main problems for developing countries is accessibility. Through these arguments, it is found that these countries are surviving by using traditional methods of communications, such as oral or written. Nevertheless, it doesn't make the need for more updated technology in developing countries any less, it just means they can survive while they wait for the modern World to help them catch up.
Gueiros, N 1994, ‘Technological future must include all nations’, Billboard, vol.106, no.30, pp. 8, viewed 8 August 2004, <http://proquest.umi.com.gateway.library.qut.edu.au/pqdweb?index=1&did=000000001552204&SrchMode=1&sid=4&Fmt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1091947695&clientId=14394 >.
- Nehemias Gueiros Jr, begins this journal article with a general discussion of technology. From the invention of the cassette tape in the early '60s to the breakthrough of digital technology, Gueiros states, that this digital evolution has opened the World up to a whole new scope of possibilities. However, this technology at present is only available to developed and industrialised nations, in other words, only those countries who are financially able to keep up with the changes in modern technology. The article then becomes more specific to the development of sound and music technologies and the effects the changes in these technologies have on Third World countries. Some of them have developed interesting legal structures to deal with the constant problem of music piracy, author's and performer's protection and other guarantees of the trade. However, these countries are always going to have trouble finding the finances to keep up with the ever-changing modern music World.
Davison, R, Vogel, D, Harris, R & Jones, N 2004, 'Technology Leapfrogging in Developing Countries – An Inevitable Luxury?', Association for Information Systems, viewed 8 August 2004, <http://www.is.cityu.edu.hk/research/ejisdc/vol1/v1d5.pdf >.
- This article looks at the lack of participation of developing countries in the global expansion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The authors attribute this problem to the following: incompatibilities between cultures and technologies, a traditional preference for self-reliance and more importantly lack of economic and human resources. To sum it up the authors have said the effective use of ICTs is biased by race, gender and location. The main problem with advancing ICTs in these countries is the lack of telecommunications infrastructure; however, satellites have the power to change that. An example of the power of satellites is that by October 1998 all but four countries had Internet connections. The article then goes on to discuss the consequences of the increasing advancements of ICTs in some countries and not others. The authors also mention the effects of technology 'leapfrogging', which is when new and up-to-date technology is implemented in an area where that technology has not yet been set-up. The main aim of 'leapfrogging' is to promote greater, freer and fairer access to information for developing countries.
International Institute for Communication and Development, Netherlands, 2004, viewed 8 August 2004, <http://www.iicd.org/ >.
- This website is about an independent non-profit foundation, International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD). The main aim of the organisation is to assist developing countries to realise the potential of information and communication technologies. IICD works with several other companies and organisations to help with the development of technology in these countries. The website also discusses the way in which IICD is approaching their mission. They follow two strategic approaches, one is to ensure the local organisations in each country are prepared to develop new policies and projects in order to implement some of the world's new modern technology. The second is to link local and international partners to open these developing countries to the global knowledge of technology.
Mitchell, J 2003, 'A Reflection on Media in the Third World', Center for Media Literacy, viewed 8 August 2004, <http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article198.html >.
- This is an article from the journal Media and Values and its author, John Mitchell, focuses on Media in the Third World. More specifically, Mitchell argues that American's don't know enough about developing countries, especially considering they carry more influence than any other country in the World. The article also points out the power of information and how the lack of it, as in Third World countries, can have a great affect on the country. The main point of the article is to urge independent countries, especially America, to assist developing countries to improve their technologies in order to receive and be able to communicate the multitudes of information that is available around the World.
Spencer, C 2004, 'Information Technology: Third World: Impact: Media', Global Issues of the Twenty-First Century: United Nations Challenges, viewed 8 August 2004, <http://www.global-challenges.org/35it-thirdworld.html >.
- In this article, the main focus is on the economic effects of Information Technology, and more specifically the Internet, on Third World countries. There are a lot of figures mentioned in the article, which help in the comparison of developed countries and Third World countries. For example, approximately 50% of America is on the Internet, which is ever increasing, compared with 0.4% in Africa. These figures are used to prove the drastic differences not being connected to the World-Wide-Web can have. The number of business deals and e-commerce benefits, which are available through the net, cannot be accessed by poorer countries. The article also mentions the position of the UN on this issue. The UN believes that constant expansion of the Internet will create a greater power division between developed and Third World countries. The UN has devised a term to define this situation, 'digital divide', which they say is created mainly because of lack of education in Third World countries. The second part of the article discusses the surge in use of mobile phones in poor countries, which as the author suggests, may mean that these countries are ready for more of the modern World's technologies.
Zgodzinski, D 1996, 'Third-World Internet', Internet World, viewed 8 August 2004
<http://www.widernet.org/intlinet/links/technology/Full%20Text/Zgodzinski/Internet%20in%20the%20Third%20World.htm >.
- David Zgodzinkski discusses, in this article, the subject of Internet in Third World countries. Zgodzinkski recognises that connecting the World to the net will not be easy, but he suggests three elements, that are essential to achieve this goal: the right tools, the right rules and the right people. The article talks about specific networks, which are expanding to help in connecting countries to the Internet and those countries, which are being helped to do so. These countries include Africa, India, Ghana, Uganda and South America. Finally, the article looks at a charitable foundation, The Open Society Institute, which funds projects to aid the cause of freedom, peace and economic development in developing countries. One project, which has been a success, is in the country of Romania where over 100,000 people have been given access to the Internet. To conclude, Zgodzinkski adds that the main benefit of the Internet to poorer countries is information.
Afemann, U 1997, 'Internet for the Third World – Chance or Threat?', University of Muenster, viewed 8 August, <http://www.uni-muenster.de/EthnologieHeute/eh1/afe.htm >.
- This website is set up by the University of Muenster and discusses broadly, the positives and negatives of Internet in Third World countries. The site provides diagrams, facts and figures to support all of their arguments throughout the site. There are several issues discussed, such as the requirements for modern telecommunications, comparisons of the richest countries Internet access and the cost and fees needed for the modern technology. It points out that it is usually assumed that the Internet is needed in order to develop economic and social progress in our World. The site also mentions several projects at work to help Third World nations develop their technology. For example, the UN has said that the application of new information technology in countries, such as Africa, would create jobs, improve health, increase tourism and improve the education systems among many other things. This website also discusses the gender issues, in developing countries, in relation to the development of new media technology. Another good point of discussion raised on the site is the downside of the expanding Internet World, including the affects it will have on tradition and culture in certain countries. Overall, the site states that although Third World countries will benefit from modern communication systems, it will generally be the elite and wealthy countries that profit from it.
Katy Clarke 17:03, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)
