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FIAM contribution to WSIS and the
Digital Divide
The International Federation of Multimedia Associations
(FIAM) is following with interest the extensive work
done by the World Summit on the Information Society
(WSIS) since its inception. It wishes to contribute
to the ongoing debate and discussion by focusing on
the experience and lessons learned by FIAM and its Internet
and multimedia association members worldwide, in the
field of digital content production and dissemination.
FIAM acts on behalf of its members to advance the cause
and interests of Internet and multimedia around the
world. It does so by promoting and strengthening international
cooperation and business relationships among its member
associations, whose members are mostly small and mediums
enterprises, and ensuring the solidity of its associative
network. The Federation also assumes an active advocacy
role with respect to international business and policy
issues affecting the multimedia industry at large.
FIAM and its members associations are very much concerned
by the technological, social, cultural and commercial
issues related to digital content production and distribution.
As industry, we cannot help but take notice of the revolutionary
effects and consequences brought about by Information
and Communication Technologies (ICT) in general and
internet and multimedia applications in particular.
Where resources are plenty and the digital divide not
as acute, these technologies and applications are being
adopted wholeheartedly in all facets of economic and
social life by individuals and organizations alike.
FIAM contribution to a WSIS Declaration
of Principles
Allow citizens of the world the opportunity to access
and use Internet and multimedia tools and applications
for their own benefit and enjoyment and contribute in
return to society at large, all in the spirit of preservation
and promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity.
Yes to the Information Society but
who gets to participate in its achievement?
WSIS has identified four principal key partners who
will work together to address the challenges of the
Information Society: governments, multilateral organizations,
the private sector and civil society (i.e., NGOs). This
taxonomy reflects the diversity at stake. FIAM would
like to ensure however that under the notion of civil
society, the role and place of the individual user,
for whom these technologies and applications are constantly
being reinvented and developed, is brought to light.
The needs of the individual user is central to most
sectors of our industry (digital media, interactive
TV, e-learning, gaming, etc.). The individual user,
for professional and/or personal reasons, seeks technologies
and applications that he can make his own (appropriate/incorporate)
and that will improve his enjoyment of digital technologies
and where applicable his economic fortunes.
Where do we think the multimedia
industry can contribute to attaining the Information
Society?
The Multimedia Industry can contribute to the process
of attaining the Information Society by paying close
attention to the needs of ICT users in both their personal
and professional environments, while remaining conscious
of the divides which characterize user as well as their
respective national or regional multimedia industries.
In countries where resources do not allow for a wide
dissemination of ICT, the multimedia industry is constantly
adapting itself to the technical and economic limitations
of the system by producing and integrating a wide array
of proprietary and open source software and applications
into low-cost hardware (PCs, mobile devices, etc.).
In countries where resources are more plentiful, the
industry is concerned by increased user enjoyment of
interactive products and applications for the individual
and the enterprise alike. We encourage these trends
and ask WSIS to delve into these issues as it formulates
an overall action plan for a more equitable Information
Society.
WSIS to pay special attention to:
1) Digital Content: Original, Diverse, Localized
Ensuring that Internet and multimedia users are offered
digital content that is diverse, localized and of quality
is central to the concerns of both the private and public
sectors in all countries. This means 1) ensuring that
governments and multimedia companies work toward making
available the creative talent capable of delivering
such content (training and learning), 2) increasing
financial support for multimedia companies to produce
and innovate, in particular in these days of market
letdown and financial resource scarcity (compare Canadian,
Australian and Costa Rican experiences), 3) steering
governments toward adopting national programs and policies
conducive to digital production and promotion, and finally
4) ensuring people’s capacity to have access to
such content through improved connectivity (comparison
of international initiatives).
2) E-government to Spur Internet and Multimedia
Tools and Applications Development
FIAM calls upon WSIS to influence governments and other
related agencies worldwide toward a higher and faster
integration of Internet and multimedia tools and applications
in the daily lives of their citizens. This means ensuring
that governments act as locomotives for a larger dissemination
of internet and multimedia tools and application and
for the production of quality digital content. The interaction
between citizens and their governments will then mediated
through higher technology access and usage. ICT is already
helping citizens be better informed of their governments
policies and programs in all facets of economic and
social life. Citizens can also receive numerous web-based
services in return such as permits and registration
of all types, filing for unemployment insurance, filing
for income tax, postal agency services, etc. This interaction
between government and its citizens can occur in numerous
areas social and economic life such as in the provision
of educational and health services to name a few.
3) Focus on Talent and well trained ICT Resources
The notions of Information society and knowledge are
intrinsically related and the process by which information
is transformed into knowledge is called learning. This
practice finds expression in e-learning and developing
countries need properly trained personnel to insure
a solid growth in local content production. WSIS has
to make human resource development a priority, across
the user/producer spectrum. Enlightened efforts by regional
and national players worldwide are already setting the
stage for a better prepared ICT sector, ready to take
on the challenges of ever-changing industry. FIAM believes
that ongoing efforts by international, national and
regional organizations to further promote skill specialization,
multimedia training, quality standards in education,
profile standardization, on-the-job training, etc. are
key. It is also important that WSIS look into the issue
of quality of work as very little is known about how
internet and multimedia companies are affecting trends
in work mobility, freelancing and the professionalization
of the ICT industry. Focusing on human resources in
the hi-tech field is of utmost importance to developing
countries as well where the rapid adoption of technologies
means greater access to international markets, technological
leapfrogging and outsourcing contracts, all examples
of incentives to counter the so-called hi-tech brain-drain.
4) Intellectual Property and Piracy
FIAM believes that WSIS is an appropriate forum to
re-evaluate intellectual property laws with regards
to Internet and multimedia applications and products
and ensure that said legislation responds to real societal
needs. As internet has become an increasingly popular
tool for the exchange of digital products and services,
creators and producers of software alike are redefining
the manner by which digital content is distributed,
commercialized and consumed over the Net. FIAM and its
associations are acutely aware of the need to establish
a balance between fairness and affordability between
those who own intellectual property and those who use
and consume digital products (issue of fair use). This
call for balance means copyright laws that are sensitive
to the economic and social realities of national markets
(through differential pricing in poorer countries, for
example). In return, countries where intellectual property
is not fully guaranteed have to set in motion policies
and mechanisms whereby digital products and software
are better protected within their national boundaries.
Close international cooperation between WIPO and national
governments and industry is needed.
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