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Africa has in the last few years seen an enormous activity in the field of ICT related conferences and initiatives on behalf of international and donor institutions. These initiatives became increasingly coloured by the rhetoric of an... more
Africa has in the last few years seen an enormous activity in the field of ICT related conferences and initiatives on behalf of international and donor institutions. These initiatives became increasingly coloured by the rhetoric of an emerging Global Information Society and the need for an African answer to these developments. With regard to this Information Society two documents hold particular relevance: the ECAs Africa’s Information Society Initiative (AISI): An Action Framework to Build Africa’s Information and Communication Infrastructure and the ITUs African Green Paper. This paper sets out to question these policies and implementation initiatives, and their rethoric and practice.
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The term linkage is used to indicate co-operation between an institution in the North and an institution in the South. Donor organisations have generally used linkages to support the development of higher education and research in... more
The term linkage is used to indicate co-operation between an institution in the North and an institution in the South. Donor organisations have generally used linkages to support the development of higher education and research in developing countries. Over time, there has been a trend away from co-operation on individual academic projects towards broader development co- operation and concentration on selected institutions. This shift raises questions about organisation, procedures and support mechanisms, and about the mandate and capabilities of universities in the North, given the frequently asymmetrical relationship between Northern institutions with their own research agendas and Southern beneficiaries. The recent restructuring of Canadian, Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish support for higher education and research is the result of a search for new, more appropriate models of co-operation. This paper examines the evolution of key issues of policy and organisation within the international donor community.
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The Information Society, as a concept for the post industrial society as well as a framework for organising growth and prosperity, has in many countries become part of the public and political debate. South Africa is no exception to the... more
The Information Society, as a concept for the post industrial society as well as a framework for organising growth and prosperity, has in many countries become part of the public and political debate. South Africa is no exception to the rule. In recent years President Nelson Mandela, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, Jay Naidoo as Minister of Posts, Broadcasting and Telecommunication and many other South African politicians have stressed the importance of 'catching up' with the Information Society. Put rather simply South Africa's political leaders share the vision that information and communication technolgoies ICTs can help to overcome some of the legacies of apartheid. Especially in the area of services ICTs are identified as both facilitators in the restructuring of sectors and as means to deliver services, through tele-education, tele-health, tele-government etc., not readily available. This article sets out to analyse the notion of the Information Society in South Africa, first as political discourse, and second as a set of policy strategies—mainly in the area of telecommunications and the application of ICTs—to arrive at an Information Society.
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The Global Information Society (GIS) has in recent years been high on the political agenda of Western countries. These countries have been concerned with the development of Information Infrastructures in order to achieve the Information... more
The Global Information Society (GIS) has in recent years been high on the political agenda of Western countries. These countries have been concerned with the development of Information Infrastructures in order to achieve the Information Society. In the West there has been a broad consensus about the framework in which the development of the GIS needs to take place. On both national and international levels a framework has to be established which supports competition, encourages private investment, supports flexible regulatory framework and allows for open access to networks. Recently this dominant scenario has been transposed as the appropriate scenario for the development of Information Infrastructures in the developing world. This article sets out to give an overview of GIS policy in a developmental context. It elaborates on recent policy initiatives in the area. At the international level it critically analyses changes in the communications industries and in the global economy. At the national level it critically analyses the assumptions of the dominant scenario and its proposed strategy for achieveing the GIS.
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The widespread belief in the benefits of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in a developmental context is shared and fostered by international organizations. In recent years they have introduced a multitude of programmes... more
The widespread belief in the benefits of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in a developmental context is shared and fostered by international organizations. In recent years they have introduced a multitude of programmes and initiatives in this field. This article sets out to critically analyse the formal ICT policy of three international organizations, namely the World Bank, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). In order to do so, policy is analysed according to three dichotomies which are central to the debate on the Information Society: materialism/idealism, technophilia/technophobia and market/state. As is the case for Europe, it is argued that discourses on the Information Societies in developing countries often do not transcend these simplistic dichotomic pairs.
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The rise and effects of ICTs form the starting point of a few interesting theoretical accounts on the information economy and society. Even some more critical authors proceed in their argumentation from economic and social change in... more
The rise and effects of ICTs form the starting point of a few interesting theoretical accounts on the information economy and society. Even some more critical authors proceed in their argumentation from economic and social change in relation to major changes in the area of ICTs. This recent literature is often confusing, as the role of ICTs is perceived as all pervasive. As such, authors do not always distinguish between evolutions in specific sectors, at the economic level or at the level of social institutions and structures. This article has a twofold goal. First it provides a systematised discussion of recent theoretical contributions on the information society. Second it analyses these contributions in light of its accounts on and relevance for the developing world. It starts from the assumption that all too often no specific attention is paid to the developing world or that—in the case of more policy oriented accounts—the theory on the information society is seen to be universal in character.
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Since the early 1990s the concept of the information society has taken centre stage position on the political agendas of several national governments in north and south, as well as regional and international institutions, donor... more
Since the early 1990s the concept of the information society has taken centre stage
position on the political agendas of several national governments in north and south,
as well as regional and international institutions, donor organisations and NGOs. This
article first sets out to analyse and describe both the content of and the evolution in
this policy discourse. It attempts to assess the validity of this discourse in light of the
current changes at the global level and in light of the problems engaged with the
practical implementation of policy in a developmental context. By doing so, it
questions the basic—and overly simplistic—assumptions of the dominant scenario.
position on the political agendas of several national governments in north and south,
as well as regional and international institutions, donor organisations and NGOs. This
article first sets out to analyse and describe both the content of and the evolution in
this policy discourse. It attempts to assess the validity of this discourse in light of the
current changes at the global level and in light of the problems engaged with the
practical implementation of policy in a developmental context. By doing so, it
questions the basic—and overly simplistic—assumptions of the dominant scenario.
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South Africa is considered one of the few developing countries which has fully embraced the concept of information society and has formulated and implemented policy inititives in order to change society accordingly. By 1995, the theme... more
South Africa is considered one of the few developing countries which has fully
embraced the concept of information society and has formulated and implemented
policy inititives in order to change society accordingly. By 1995, the theme of the
information society started to surface regularly in political discourse and policy
documents. ICTs and access to ICTs started to have prominence both in policy
formulation and implementation. Although there was much talk about a Green
Paper/White Paper process on the information society during 1996 and the beginning
of 1997, such a policy process never materialised. To date there is no document
defining the government’s view of the information society, no policy document
outlining an integrated strategy to arrive there and no government department
officially responsible for the coordination of policy initiatives. This article sets out to
analyse the notion of the information society in South Africa and to analyse the broad
evolution of South Africa’s information society policy between 1994 and 2000.
embraced the concept of information society and has formulated and implemented
policy inititives in order to change society accordingly. By 1995, the theme of the
information society started to surface regularly in political discourse and policy
documents. ICTs and access to ICTs started to have prominence both in policy
formulation and implementation. Although there was much talk about a Green
Paper/White Paper process on the information society during 1996 and the beginning
of 1997, such a policy process never materialised. To date there is no document
defining the government’s view of the information society, no policy document
outlining an integrated strategy to arrive there and no government department
officially responsible for the coordination of policy initiatives. This article sets out to
analyse the notion of the information society in South Africa and to analyse the broad
evolution of South Africa’s information society policy between 1994 and 2000.
Research Interests:
Citizenship has always been a dynamic notion, subject to change and permanent struggle over its precise content and meaning. Recent technological, economic, and political transformations have led to the development of alternative notions... more
Citizenship has always been a dynamic notion, subject to change and permanent struggle over its precise content and meaning. Recent technological, economic, and political transformations have led to the development of alternative notions of citizenship that go beyond the classic understanding of its relationship to nation states and rights. Civil society actors play an important role in this process by organizing themselves at a transnational level, engaging with issues that transcend the boundaries of the nation state and questioning the democratic legitimacy of other transnational actors such as international and corporate organizations. They also allow citizens to engage with "unbounded" issues and to construct a transnational public sphere where such issues can be debated. It is often assumed that the Internet plays a crucial role in enabling this transnational public sphere to take shape. Empirical analysis of discussion forums and mailing lists developed by transnational civil society actors shows, however, that the construction of such a transnational public sphere is paved with constraints. To speak of a unified transnational public sphere is therefore deemed to be problematic. It cannot be seen or construed without taking into account the local, the national, and enforceable rights in order to materialize the ideas and hopes being voiced through civil society.
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Wireless City Networks are a recent, but growing phenomenon. In the United States hundreds of cities are looking into the possibility of rolling out Wi-Fi or WiMax based networks over substantial parts of the city. The underlying... more
Wireless City Networks are a recent, but growing phenomenon. In the United States hundreds of cities are looking into the possibility of rolling out Wi-Fi or WiMax based networks over substantial parts of the city. The underlying rationale is that wireless city networks are cheap and flexible alternatives for fixed broadband networks. Cities more and more see broadband Internet access as a necessary and therefore public utility to be provided to their communities at affordable prices or even free of charge. The deployment of wireless city networks is however more than just infrastructure provision. Initiatives are linked to broader city policies related to digital divide, city renewal, stimulation of innovation, stimulation of tourism, strengthening the economic fabric of the city, etc. In this article we will argue that explicit and implicit goals are directly linked to the coverage and topology of networks, the technology used, price and service modalities, etc. Furthermore we will argue that the differences in context between the US and Europe explain the different infrastructural trajectories taken. Overall and on the basis of empirical findings we caution for the over- optimistic view that Wi-Fi-based wireless city networks are an equal alternative for providing broadband access. There are both financial and technological uncertainties, which could have a serious impact on the performance of these initiatives.
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This contribution presents the results of a pilot project on ICT usage by South African SMMEs in the tourism industry. The Electronic Business Survey (EBS) methodology which was tested for applicability in a developing country, in this... more
This contribution presents the results of a pilot project on ICT usage by South African SMMEs in the tourism industry. The Electronic Business Survey (EBS) methodology which was tested for applicability in a developing country, in this case South Africa, uses qualitative indicators and quantitative estimations to measure the impacts of e-business practices. The results, based on 40 face-to-face interviews, were substantive and showed that the adapted OECD methodology could be used successfully. In the South African tourism industry, ICT significantly improves the performance of these businesses. Although ICT adoption represents a significant operational cost for the interviewed firms, it also substantially contributes to increased revenue and improved labour productivity. On balance the results are extremely positive: 44.7% of firms report increased profitability, whereas for 50% it remained the same as three years ago. Of the firms that reported increased profitability, 75% indicated ICT as a contributing factor, and 31% considered ICT as the main contributing factor. The most positive effects are attributed to the usage of the Internet to improve customer relations in conjunction with creative product offerings (customisation, product-service bundling). Findings are consistent with research applying the same methodology in Western and Eastern Europe. This includes the finding that positive effects of ICT tend to be bigger for industries in transition, supporting businesses to become internationally competitive.
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Abtract This article provides a critical view on the development and deployment phase of the e-ID in Belgium since 1999. It is based on extensive desk research and fifteen in depth-interviews with experts and stakeholders from government,... more
Abtract This article provides a critical view on the development and deployment phase of the e-ID in Belgium since 1999. It is based on extensive desk research and fifteen in depth-interviews with experts and stakeholders from government, administration, academia and industry who have been key in the development of the e-ID. The article identifies different elements that influenced, both in a positive and negative way, the societal, technical and political aspects of the Belgian e-ID. It shows that no severe problems occurred during the initial deployment phase, which came to an end in 2009 providing over eight million Belgian citizens with an e-ID. The pre-existence of a National Register and the preliminary experiences with the exchange of digital information between administrative entities in the field of Social Security enabled and facilitated the development and the distribution of the e-ID. However, the research also reveals that usage of the e-ID by citizens and uptake of e-ID based services by administration and business remains limited due to multiple factors. The complex system of state structures in Belgium and as a consequence the dispersion of competences across different governmental entities makes that no unified approach to e-government and e-ID based services has been developed. From the industries’ point of view the privacy framework and the strictly regulated use of the National Registration Number provides no clear view on the allowed use of data accessible through the e-ID hampering take up in this area.
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Part of the current academic discourse on primary HIV and AIDS interventions, is focussed on the importance of interpersonal communication. Interpersonal communication is believed to mediate campaign effects through the creation of social... more
Part of the current academic discourse on primary HIV and AIDS interventions, is focussed on the importance of interpersonal communication. Interpersonal communication is believed to mediate campaign effects through the creation of social learning environments. Therefore, many HIV and AIDS strategies (e.g. entertainment education programmes) use mass media channels for conveying messages on the one hand and spurring interpersonal communication among target groups on the other hand. However, it seems hard to find solid evidence that mass media campaigns are able to stimulate interpersonal communication. Simultaneously, there is a rising interest in the use of new technologies for HIV and AIDS prevention. As a result of their unique characteristics, such as interactivity and anonymity, they could be more appropriate than traditional channels to stimulate interpersonal communication. To gain insights in the challenges and opportunities of new technologies for primary HIV/AIDS prevention, this article presents the findings of a case study carried out at the University of the Western Cape. This study aimed at developing, implementing and evaluating an anonymous online discussion platform for students to share experiences and discuss sensitive subjects. The discussion forum was used in three ways: compulsory (through curriculum integration), semi-voluntarily and voluntarily. An extensive evaluation provided strong evidence that the online discussion forum was only successful when formally integrated into the curriculum. The most important opportunity of the formally integrated online forum relates to the creation of a social learning environment. The anonymous character of the online platform allayed fear for stigma and discrimination and removed cultural barriers concerning the inappropriateness of discussing HIV/AIDS related issues. As a result, the platform created a space in which students discussed freely, considered old and new ideas, acquired knowledge, and learned to esteem varying views on the subjects of discussion. Although no assertions can be made on the effects of these outcomes on sustainable changes in attitudes or behaviour, these findings indicate that participating in an anonymous online platform can instigate students to reflect on HIV/AIDS in a different way.
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This paper analyzes a recent policy initiative in France to deter copyright infringement. In 2009, France passed two laws aimed at fighting online piracy through graduated response, a warning and sanction system. Graduated response... more
This paper analyzes a recent policy initiative in France to deter copyright infringement. In 2009, France passed two laws aimed at fighting online piracy through graduated response, a warning and sanction system. Graduated response depends on surveillance of internet uses and encourages technological regulation (code), such as internet filtering and blocking. We analyze the rationales advocated for copyright and the internet and the argumentation for surveillance and technical protection measures. In the French debate on graduated response, much attention was given to the policy goal - reducing piracy, while the means of reaching the policy goal - surveillance and code, were rarely discussed. Graduated response deals with much more than copyright. It promotes informational control by copyright holders and contributes to the normalization of surveillance and to an increase of centralized control on the internet.
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Purpose – This paper seeks to offer an alternative critique to graduated response, a warning and sanction mechanism aimed at fighting online piracy. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reflects on and frames graduated response in... more
Purpose – This paper seeks to offer an alternative critique to graduated response, a warning and sanction mechanism aimed at fighting online piracy. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reflects on and frames graduated response in terms of theories on surveillance society and code. In particular, it analyses the graduated response debate in the European Union and the current initiatives in France and the UK. Findings – The paper argues that graduated response portrays rights holders as being in a state of emergency, is a form of social sorting, and has a technological bias. Originality/value – This paper contends that many objections raised to graduated response have been reduced to issues concerning the procedure rather than the principle, and that important societal questions concerning graduated response remain un(der)explored.
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The pandemic had a considerable impact on youth work in Flanders, as many face-to-face activities had to shift online out of necessity. For many youth organizations, this was their first encounter with digital youth work, either online or... more
The pandemic had a considerable impact on youth work in Flanders, as many face-to-face activities had to shift online out of necessity. For many youth organizations, this was their first encounter with digital youth work, either online or in a blended format. Despite this recent boom in digital youth work practices, the concept is not new. It was first mentioned in the 2017 conclusions on smart youth work[1] by the Council of the European Union. Digital youth work is defined as using and discussing digital media/technology in different types of youth work situations, whilst still adhering to the goals, values, and principles of general youth work (Council of the European Union, 2019). While some Flemish youth work organizations focused specifically on digital media before COVID-19, the pandemic has accelerated the uptake of digital youth work. This paper examines the effects of COVID-19 on youth work in Flanders. It explores the challenges and opportunities, using the quick-scan-met...
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ABSTRACT Incl. bibl., list of interviewed persons
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Supplemental material, Supplemental Material1 for Global media flows: A qualitative review of research methods in audio-visual flow studies by Catalina Iordache, Leo Van Audenhove and Jan Loisen in International Communication Gazette
This chapter discusses emerging methodological trends in media policy research. Setting out from several weaknesses of research to date, it identifies the use of digital methods and participatory approaches as two areas of ongoing... more
This chapter discusses emerging methodological trends in media policy research. Setting out from several weaknesses of research to date, it identifies the use of digital methods and participatory approaches as two areas of ongoing renewal. Digital methods concern both digitized existing methods such as document analysis and digitally native methods such as scraping. The chapter highlights the value of new techniques to tackle issues such as fake news, data protection, further ownership concentration, etc.
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This article presents a conceptual model that explores the extent to which various (non)-users can be subjected to mechanisms of inclusion or exclusion. The model consists of eight profiles of digital inequalities, ranging from deep... more
This article presents a conceptual model that explores the extent to which various (non)-users can be subjected to mechanisms of inclusion or exclusion. The model consists of eight profiles of digital inequalities, ranging from deep exclusion to deep inclusion, and is based upon a combination of five key indicators at the social level (income, education, social participation, agency, well-being) and eight key indicators at the digital level (access, attitudes, digital skills, soft skills, media richness of the environment, autonomy of use, user practices and social support). This conceptual model, by going further than socio-demographics, (a) allows the formulation of an alternative lens through which to look at mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion and (b) brings a significant contribution to existing research by highlighting the co-action of social and digital indicators in mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion.
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Research Interests: Sociology and Res Publica
Media use can empower people, provided that this is accompanied by a deeper understanding of the actors, processes and structures in the media sector – including media policy. It is, however, to be expected that media users’ literacy of... more
Media use can empower people, provided that this is accompanied by a deeper understanding of the actors, processes and structures in the media sector – including media policy. It is, however, to be expected that media users’ literacy of media policy is rather limited. This is problematic as the absence of such understanding makes it impossible for citizens to hold the politicians they elected accountable for the media policy they develop. This article explores what media users know about media policy, what they expect to know, and whether they care. We adopted a case-study approach, researching this question for the region of Flanders based on a combination of quantitative (representative survey) and qualitative (49 in-depth interviews) data. While the article focuses on the case of Flanders, its theoretical basis as well as conclusion section are relevant beyond that specific context.
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ICT as the new red ribbon: hot or not? Results of the BELSPO research into digital strategies for HIV and AIDS campaigning in a South African University context. Research conducted at the expense of the Belgian State, supported by the Belgian Science Policy, in the framework of the bilateral Scie...more
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Supplemental material, Supplemental Material2 for Global media flows: A qualitative review of research methods in audio-visual flow studies by Catalina Iordache, Leo Van Audenhove and Jan Loisen in International Communication Gazette
There is a dearth of nuanced understanding of women’s ICT usage and their own perspectives and worldviews – mental models – on a possible intersection between gender and ICT in their communities. This research offers a qualitative... more
There is a dearth of nuanced understanding of women’s ICT usage and their own perspectives and worldviews – mental models – on a possible intersection between gender and ICT in their communities. This research offers a qualitative analysis of the views of women in three marginalised communities in South Africa. The study follows a phenomenological approach and relies on in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with women diverse in age, education and employment status. The findings indicate varied perspectives of a digital gender divide in their communities. Where such disparities are identified by women, there is a divergence in opinions as to the causes thereof, ranging from perceptions of males as innately more competent, to socially constructed gender norms influencing ICT activity. In shedding light on the mental models of ICT held by women, this research can contribute to the design and implementation of gender-sensitive digital inclusion strategies targeted at women in marginalised communities.
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The proposed paper analyses the changes in business models employed by the stakeholders in the newspaper value network, in the context of a new type of electronic reading device ‐the ePaper. This PDA‐like device uses a new high‐contrast,... more
The proposed paper analyses the changes in business models employed by the stakeholders in the newspaper value network, in the context of a new type of electronic reading device ‐the ePaper. This PDA‐like device uses a new high‐contrast, low‐power screen technology (eInk), which holds the promise of a digital and mobile reading experience close to that of ‘real’ paper. The potential impact of massive digitally distributed reading content ‐newspapers, but also magazines, books, and all other material previously printed on paper‐ on the traditional publishing value chain and its different constituent actors could be significant. For example, content aggregation roles already greatly dispersed by the internet could move further away from the traditional newspaper publishers; using logging data and RSS feeds on the device, newspaper advertising could become personalised and interactive; for newspaper publishers, production and distribution costs could go down and updated content could b...
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Social Inequalities, Media, and Communication: Theory and Roots provides a global analysis of the intersection of social inequalities, media, and communication. This book contains chapter contributions written by scholars from around the... more
Social Inequalities, Media, and Communication: Theory and Roots provides a global analysis of the intersection of social inequalities, media, and communication. This book contains chapter contributions written by scholars from around the world who engage in country- and region-specific case studies of social inequalities in media and communication. The volume is a theoretical exploration of the classical, structuralist, culturalist, postmodernist, and postcolonial theoretical approaches to inequality and how these theoretical discourses provide critical understanding of social inequalities in relation to narratives shaped by media and communication experiences. The contributors provide class and gender analyses of media and culture, engage theoretical discourses of inequalities and capitalism in relation to communication technologies, and explore the cyclical relationship of theory and praxis in studying inequalities, media, and communication.
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For many marginalized community members e-inclusion intermediaries (e-IIs) are the only accessible and affordable option to access computers and the Internet, yet their use of the provided ICTs is low. This is due to a lack of awareness... more
For many marginalized community members e-inclusion intermediaries (e-IIs) are the only accessible and affordable option to access computers and the Internet, yet their use of the provided ICTs is low. This is due to a lack of awareness about e-IIs and ICTs benefits. To create awareness and promote the use of ICTs by community members e-IIs need more effective communication strategies that share information. Social media can be effective in this regard, yet many e-IIs do not utilize their potential. This paper presents findings of a qualitative study that investigated how selected e-IIs in South Africa communicate using social media. The study found that social media can facilitate communication for development by enabling low-cost, participatory communication approaches that build networks to share information, resources and create awareness. Social media are however only effective if they are appropriate for the target audience and used strategically to achieve clear communication...
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This paper analyzes a recent policy initiative in France to deter copyright infringement. In 2009, France passed two laws aimed at fighting online piracy through graduated response, a warning and sanction system. Graduated response... more
This paper analyzes a recent policy initiative in France to deter copyright infringement. In 2009, France passed two laws aimed at fighting online piracy through graduated response, a warning and sanction system. Graduated response depends on surveillance of internet uses and encourages technological regulation (code), such as internet filtering and blocking. We analyze the rationales advocated for copyright and the internet and the argumentation for surveillance and technical protection measures. In the French debate on graduated response, much attention was given to the policy goal – reducing piracy, while the means of reaching the policy goal – surveillance and code, were rarely discussed. Graduated response deals with much more than copyright. It promotes informational control by copyright holders and contributes to the normalization of surveillance and to an increase of centralized control on the internet.
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This article explores what media users know about media policy, what they expect to know and if they care. We adopted a case-study approach, researching this question for the region of Flanders based on a combination of both quantitative... more
This article explores what media users know about media policy, what they expect to know and if they care. We adopted a case-study approach, researching this question for the region of Flanders based on a combination of both quantitative and qualitative data. We focused on knowledge of digital television and compared these findings with knowledge on emerging Internet policies. One objective was to assess whether there is a difference between people’s knowledge of the former, older and the latter, newer and emerging policy domain. While the article focuses on the case of Flanders, its theoretical basis, as well as conclusions, are relevant beyond this specific context. They show that knowledge of media policies is low. Nevertheless, it seems that ‘willingness-to-know’ about policies is higher for issues such as privacy and data than for, more traditional media policy areas related to digital television.
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The paper analyses and describes the content and the evolution of the policy discourse on the Information Society in the period between the New World Information and Communication Order and the World Summit on the Information Society. It... more
The paper analyses and describes the content and the evolution of the policy discourse on the Information Society in the period between the New World Information and Communication Order and the World Summit on the Information Society. It shows how two different streams of policy discourse were born at the time of the NWICO – one on the Information Society and the other one on questions of communication and media – and describes the evolution of the first during the 1990s. Adopting a neo-liberal approach, the discourse on the Information Society emerged in the North and gradually rose up to a more global level. At the same time the discussion moved away from a debate purely about infrastructures towards a debate on the role of information and knowledge in the economy, in development and in processes of social change. The paper concludes with some reflections on the WSIS and open questions about the actual convergence of the two streams during that time.
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Abstract The article analyses the changes in business models employed by the stakeholders in the newspaper value network, in view of the introduction of mobile devices using electronic paper. These devices hold the promise of a mobile... more
Abstract The article analyses the changes in business models employed by the stakeholders in the newspaper value network, in view of the introduction of mobile devices using electronic paper. These devices hold the promise of a mobile digital reading experience close to that of ‘real’ paper. The potential impact of massive digitally distributed reading content on the traditional publishing value chain could be significant. This article develops four scenarios outlining possible business models.
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PurposeThis paper seeks to offer an alternative critique to graduated response, a warning and sanction mechanism aimed at fighting online piracy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reflects on and frames graduated response in terms of... more
PurposeThis paper seeks to offer an alternative critique to graduated response, a warning and sanction mechanism aimed at fighting online piracy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reflects on and frames graduated response in terms of theories on surveillance society and code. In particular, it analyses the graduated response debate in the European Union and the current initiatives in France and the UK.FindingsThe paper argues that graduated response portrays rights holders as being in a state of emergency, is a form of social sorting, and has a technological bias.Originality/valueThis paper contends that many objections raised to graduated response have been reduced to issues concerning the procedure rather than the principle, and that important societal questions concerning graduated response remain un(der)explored.
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... to succeed more easily in creating mass markets for new services and technologies (Mansell & Steinmuller ... demonstrate the relation between mass media and culture, can help illustrate schematically the challenges developing... more
... to succeed more easily in creating mass markets for new services and technologies (Mansell & Steinmuller ... demonstrate the relation between mass media and culture, can help illustrate schematically the challenges developing countries face in terms of ICTs and their ...
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... If telecommu-nications are the underlying infrastructure of a future information society, prospects for its development are not as optimistic ... "* INITIATIVES TOWARD AN INFORMATION SOCIETY In the last few years Africa has... more
... If telecommu-nications are the underlying infrastructure of a future information society, prospects for its development are not as optimistic ... "* INITIATIVES TOWARD AN INFORMATION SOCIETY In the last few years Africa has seen enormous activity in the field of ICT on behalf of ...