New world information and communication order

The New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) was a concept that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly among developing countries, to address the imbalances in the global flow of information and communication. The idea was to promote a more equitable and just global information and communication system, where the voices and perspectives of all nations and peoples were heard and respected.

The NWICO movement was sparked by the realization that the global information and communication landscape was dominated by a few powerful countries, particularly the United States and Western Europe, which controlled the majority of the world's media outlets, telecommunications infrastructure, and information flows. This led to a situation where the perspectives and experiences of developing countries and marginalized communities were often overlooked, distorted, or silenced.

The NWICO movement aimed to challenge this status quo by promoting a more diverse and inclusive global information and communication system. Some of the key goals of the movement included:

  1. Promoting diversity and pluralism in the global media landscape, including the representation of diverse perspectives, cultures, and languages.
  2. Encouraging the development of independent and community-based media outlets, particularly in developing countries.
  3. Improving access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for all people, regardless of their geographical location, social status, or economic resources.
  4. Promoting the use of ICTs for development, including e-commerce, e-education, and e-health.
  5. Encouraging international cooperation and collaboration in the development of global information and communication policies and standards.

The NWICO movement was also influenced by the concept of "information imperialism," which referred to the dominance of Western countries over the global flow of information and the ways in which this dominance was used to promote their own interests and values.

The NWICO movement had several key outcomes, including:

  1. The establishment of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a key player in promoting global information and communication policies and standards.
  2. The development of international agreements and treaties, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Constitution and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Convention, which aimed to promote international cooperation and coordination in the development of global information and communication policies and standards.
  3. The creation of new international organizations, such as the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) and the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), which aimed to promote research and advocacy on global information and communication issues.
  4. The growth of community-based media initiatives and independent media outlets in developing countries, which aimed to promote diversity and pluralism in the global media landscape.

Overall, the NWICO movement was an important step towards promoting a more equitable and just global information and communication system, and its legacy continues to shape global information and communication policies and practices today.