信息社会(3)

The United Nations is trying to make the information society a reality for more of the developing world. It wants to see rich countries transfer new technology and knowledge to poorer nations.

Ten years from now, the plan is that everybody in the world will have a radio or television and that 50% of the world's population will have access to the internet from schools and universities, health centres and hospitals, libraries and museums.

This will improve medical care and education, science and agriculture, business opportunities and employment. At the same time, they say, local communities, languages and cultures will become stronger.

Just a dream? Certainly there are some contradictions. Does only good come with freedom of information?

If information is power, why will people share it?

Doesn't more technology mean fewer jobs? And how can the exchange of information keep local cultures alive if most of that information is only in one language?