Message-ID: <v01510100acf73fc57035@[205.246.26.11]> Date: Fri, 15 Dec 1995 10:16:07 -0500 From: Frank Baitman <mailto:fbaitman@MARS.SUPERLINK.NET> Subject: Re: Africa and the internet To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
At 20:40 12/13/95, steve worth wrote:snip, snip _____________________________________________
2) to find ways to make it difficult for vested interests to control the internet; or ways to get around the vested interest
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Steve:
This, among all of the statements you made interests me. All of the other "problems" can be overcome over time (literacy, electricity, connectivity, etc) and through economic growth. However, this point is a bit of a concern.
Who are the "vested interests" that could interfere with the Internet as a communication vehicle in developing countries? Should we be concerned with commercial as well as institutional (government) interests?
While the "problems" that you point out (above) are not insignificant, they can be incrementally reduced over time. Much as other forms of communication have become more common in the developing world (radio, television, and telephone). But is there something that can be done to diminish the strength of those who might interfere with the free flow of ideas over the Internet? What might it be? Can international conventions serve any purpose here?
I would be interested in beginning a discussion thread on this topic if others are equally interested.
Frank Baitman
\Frank Baitman\ \Cranbury, New Jersey\ mailto:fbaitman@mars.superlink.net