THE CONCEPT OF FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

      Abstract

This study gives a synopsis of the concept of free flow of information and a statement of its relevance to the communication structure.  The wake of World War II in 1939 hatched the imperative need (s) of International Communication in the minds of many countries of the world. The core of free flow of information in the whole is it championed the rights of media proprietors to sell wherever and whatever they wished. Free flow of information therefore, is a doctrine which unfolded as an amalgamating tool between the rich countries and the peripheries. It came as a strong judge between capitalism and socialism as after the Second World War and the establishment of a bi-polar world of free market capitalism and state socialism, theories of International Communication became part of the new Cold War discourse and the pursuit to balance freedom of information began in full blast so the concept of free flow of information.

 

Introduction:

The need to liberalize communication system is important mainly because a ‘free flow of information’ recognizes human right of freedom of expression. The gap between the top countries and the regional countries was such that created an unhealthy relationship (antipathy) between the both parties. The Western for instance, specifically US, nursed antipathy to state regulation and censorship of the media and its use for propaganda by its communist opponents. There was the element of inequality, marginalization and abuse of natural rights.

Free flow of information can be viewed as the concept linked to the basic human right of freedom of speech and opinion. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinion without interference and to see, receive and impart information and idea through any medium regardless of any frontiers. Fact holds that the concept was propounded by Sociologist Paul Lazarsfield et al in 1944 and elaborated by Elihu Katz and Lazarsfield in 1955. Free flow of information is a two-step flow of communication.

Free flow of information is an attempt to account for the degree of access to information as well as the independence of that information from legal, political and economic interest.

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

The Cold War that started in 1947 and ended in 1991, its discourse began the birth of International Communication through the theories of International Communication such as the theories of internationalism, the Marxists paradigm of international communication, theories of representation, reception theories, and theories of identity became part of the new Cold War treaties to devise a doctrine that would interrelate nations.

For the supporters of capitalism, the primary function of international communication was to promote democracy, freedom of expression and market, while the Marxists argued for greater state’s regulation on communication and media outlets. This clash of ideologies reinforced the craving need for a fair and neutral ground for existence.  

The concept of the free flow of information reflected Western, and spsecifically US, antipathy to state regulation and censorship of the media and its use for propaganda by its communists’ opponents. The ‘free flow’ doctrine was essentially a part of the liberal, free market discourse that championed the right of media proprietors to sell freely and disseminate whatever information of their choice.  As most of the world’s media resources and media-related capital, then as now, were concentrated in the west, it was the media proprietors in the Western countries, their governments and national business communities that had most to gain. In the foregoing therefore, the Western countries like US was in charge of means of ownership and production thus, dominated the major ideas in the global communication sector. This still, posed imbalance in dissemination of information.

The concept of ‘free flow’ therefore, served both economic and political purposes. Media organizations of the media-rich countries could hope to dissuade others from erecting trade barriers to their products or from making it difficult to gather news or make programmes on their territories. Their argument drew on premises of democracy, freedom of expression, the media’s role as public watchdog and their assumed global relevance.    

Now, towards the end of World War ll (1939-1945), the expression ‘free flow of information’ and the idea that encapsulates began appearing in national and international documents. The expression is meant to convey the open passage of print and electronic media across borders and among nations. For example, the constitution of the United Nations of Education Scientific and Cultural Organizations UNESCO, (1945) as ‘free flow’ of ideas by word and image and the UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948) as freedom of opinion and expression. The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) established the sub-commission on freedom of information and of the press in the early 1950s. ECOSOC addressed the problem of global imbalance of information structure as early as 1961 as did the United Nation General Assembly in deliberation in 1952 and did so decade later.

The free flow principle was broadened to a ‘free and balanced flow of information’ in UNESCO 1978 “Declaration of Fundamental principle concerning the contribution of mass media to strengthening peace and understanding the promotion of human right information and to countering racialism, apartheid and incitement to war.                                                                                           

These collaborations thus, cumulated into the passing of the ‘free flow of information Act.  The bill was introduced to the United States Senate by Sens. Richard Lugar and Chris Dodd in 2007 and in October 2007, the free flow of information Act was passed by the United States House of Representatives although, it was filibustered on July 30, 2008, and withdrawn.  

 

RELEVANCE OF THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

As complied with the natural right of the freedom of expression, free flow of information concept, remains a sacrosanct guiding principle to human development. As a concept that opens the door(s) of freedom of communication, its relevance to the human societies cannot be overemphasized.   

Ø  Free flow of information defines the right of expression of human beings. It gives members of a society opportunity to express their opinions freely, see information, interpret and disseminate such information without interferences.

Ø  It enhances social, political, economic development of a growing nation.

Ø  It is also essential to a well-informed society. Accurate and well-distributed information underpins the free market, improved human capital, provides transparency of government decision and improved judicial and government decisions.

Ø  Provides the news reporter a fair ground to discharge his traditional duties or functions with liberty.

Ø  It serves as a unifying tool among nations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 CONCLUSION

Until July, 2013 the White House was still pushing for a Federal media shield law, the free flow of information Act authored by US Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsey Grahan as regard the imperative importance of press liberty.  Under the bill, the scope of protection for reporters would vary according to whether it was a civil case, an ordinary criminal case or a national security case. This implies the depth of protection as would be allotted to the press if all things being fair and just.

From the conception of the idea of International Communication which hatched the concept of the ‘free flow of information’, the central knowledge around the concept is that there should be neutral floor for the dissemination of information among the developed and the underdeveloped countries.   Free flow of information has important roles to play as noted above in ensuring communication beyond borders. Countries will have liberty to gather home-grown news and take it abroad without fear and subjugations.