Commentary

The 1980 MacBride Report recommended the formulation of comprehensive policies on communication, the potential of which "warrants the formulation by all nations, and in particular developing countries, of comprehensive communications policies linked to overall social, cultural, economic and political goals" (quoted by Hamelink, 1997: 75). Themes discussed included principles of human rights in relation to communication policies, technologies, culture and international cooperation.

Central to these concerns (and thus to our own current study) is the assumption that freedom of expression is a right, and must be ensured through government regulation. Therefore, the involvement of national state agencies would be a condition of media development under the aegis of public service. This ideal is easily defended, but in practice, it involves many problems. For one thing, as Hamelink points out, the guaranteed right of citizens to freedom of expression does not necessarily imply equal access to the means of expression, such as the technologies and systems of mass communication, either at a national level, or on an international scale. What factors would influence decision making and power in this area? Who would benefit from access to media?

Historically, in most regions of the world, government and business control over the mass media has been interlinked. According to Hamelink, it is important to inquire into the relationship between communications and economic structures. As the next reading demonstrates, such an inquiry must consider actual international power relations, which continue to remain unbalanced, and to favour the most wealthy and advanced nations. Hence, the process of mass media transfer depends on historical and current relationships between the exporting and the importing country. Clearly, the concerns of the MacBride Commission era remain relevant.

Study Questions

The study questions are designed to help you focus on points that enhance understanding of key themes, claims and issues. Answer each question in a few sentences or a short paragraph. Your answers will also serve you as a basis for future study and course assignments. If you have difficulty with any of these questions, please contact your tutor to discuss the problem.

1. What historical developments made the issue of an international information order a crucial one in the 1970s?

2. What features of the so-called New World Economic Order were challenged by developing countries?

3. Why were Latin American countries influenced more by the United States than by their former metropolitan powers?

4. How are human rights principles relevant to policies of information and communication?

Reading Assignment

Read the excerpt from "The Transfer of Broadcasting," by E. Katz and G. Wedell, reproduced in the Reading File.