During Next 5 Minutes 3 we want to devote special attention to media developments in the South-Asian region. A recent workshop for on the development of the Internet in South Asia asserts that "South Asia is the world's most illiterate region, and confronts myriad man-made and natural problems", and questions what role in particular networked media such as the Internet can play in overcoming these problems. Key representatives of important media-initiatives from the region will be invited for N5M3. We want to investigate how both the established media, as well as the Internet, can strengthen local communities. What are the specific problems the new media forms pose? The organisation of the media- and communications infrastructures differ strongly amongst the various countries. Local issues of censorship, lack of access for the local population, difficulties in accessing media production means, if not direct obstruction of the free distribution of media products (film, video, TV programs, web sites, etc.) are some of the issues that will be discussed in the wider international framework that N5M3 can provide.
Next 5 Minutes 3 will host amongst others a workshop on the development of the Internet as a tactical medium in South Asia. The workshop will address local policy issues and discuss recent developments, in particular (the possibility of) independent Internet service provision. The workshop intends to promote co-operation with similar initiatives in other parts of the world. Himal, the South Asian Magazine, has expressed interest to carry this discussion further via its magazine locally, after the conference.
* contact person: Eric Kluitenberg (epk@xs4all.nl) | |
