The information society must look beyond wires

One of the justifiable criticisms levelled against the information society in its early days was a faith in technologies combined with a tendency to overlook the politics of information.

Unfortunately this is still the case in many developing countries. For example, India’s Right to Information Act remains controversial and is hardly ever invoked by the mainstream media or citizens.

Meanwhile it seems that Tanzania – viewed by many as a leading light in e-governance – hasn't yet grappled with the right to information provision. Indeed, some of the Southern leaders of the IT industry like China and Vietnam are reluctant to grant political rights to their citizens.

Perhaps the media should take a keener interest in stimulating debate around such issues. The technologists certainly don’t seem to care much for them...

[Image: Panos Pictures]