COMMUNICATIONS: Static Interference at WSIS Preparatory Meet

The final preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) demonstrated all the way through to its last sessions Friday that the government representatives were communicating on different frequencies amongst themselves and with civil society.

COMMUNICATIONS: Science Has the Word in WSIS Run-Up

Representatives from the international scientific community finally were able to convince the United Nations to take their contributions into account in the preparatory process for the World Summit on the Information Society, to be held here in December.

COMMUNICATIONS: Technologies for Expression – and for Censorship

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) pose opportunities but also threats for human rights like freedom of expression and protection of privacy, warn organisations specialised in the issue.

COMMUNICATION: NGOs Warn of Crisis on Way to WSIS

-The delicate balance between governments, the private sector and civil society, achieved for the purpose of organising an international conference on information and communication technologies, appears to be teetering as a result of irreconcilable differences.

TECHNOLOGY-AFRICA: Women Find Reason for Optimism in Internet Usage

Slowly, but effectively, the Internet is empowering women in Africa to follow events as they have never witnessed before. The latest case in point is the women in Somalia who have been following their country's peace talks in neighbouring Kenya via Internet usage.

COMMUNICATIONS-LATAM: Telecentres to Narrow Digital Divide

Several Latin American governments are setting up telecentres where people can surf the Internet, often free of charge, in an attempt to narrow the digital divide within their societies, which is perhaps larger than the gap that separates them from the industrialised world.

COMMUNICATIONS: Half the World on the Outside Looking In

Preparations for the U.N.-sponsored World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) - with its ambitious objective of providing all peoples of the world with access to communication technologies - will enter their final phase Monday overshadowed by difficulties, admit the officials involved.

TECHNOLOGY-AFRICA: Internet Creates a New Class of Users

Even critics of massive spending on computer and Internet technology in Africa, at what they fear is at the expense of poverty alleviation efforts, are conceding that so-called "New Media" are helping Africans economically.

SOCIETY-JAPAN: Internet Becomes a Deadly Link to Suicide

The Japanese suicide website looks eerily calm, what with the little shooting stars criss-crossing on a ink-black screen and falling on pink cherry blossoms. Classical music plays in the background.

TECHNOLOGY: Internet Heats Up Debate on Arctic Traditions

As Internet use takes hold in the Canadian Arctic, the new media is being seen both as a saviour and a threat.

TECHNOLOGY-INDIA: Internet Links Rural Communities to Markets

Farmers in the Dindigul area of India's southern Tamil Nadu state need no convincing when it comes to the value of maintaining a website to get the best possible prices for the their produce.

WSIS: Information Can Bridge the ‘Ethical Divide’

Organisers of the World Summit on the Information Society are being asked to do more than bridge the digital divide; they face demands to look at information flow as a means of fighting corruption.

WSIS: Spotlight on the Media

The international media community would be right to feel somewhat confused over the role it should play at the upcoming World Summit on the Information Society. Should journalists be there as reporters, or are they ready to take a seat at the conference table?

WSIS: Libraries Seek the Freedom to Inform

Libraries around the world could provide a relatively simple answer to bridging the 'digital divide', the world's leading association of libraries has proposed.

PAKISTAN: Students Get Real Lessons from Virtual University

Ali Haider is into the third semester of a bachelor of computer science degree course and is enthusiastic about his subject. The 22-year-old however wishes his teachers would answer the questions he has a little sooner - it is usually a day before he gets a reply.

TECHNOLOGY-JAPAN: Seniors Eager to Explore World of IT

At the rate its membership is growing, the Grannies Computer Association has had to restrict the entry of new applicants, all of whom are eager to enter the world of the Internet.

WSIS: Diverse Voices Prepare to Come Together

The first ever World Summit on the Information Society to be held in Geneva this December is attracting a wide cross-section of civil society. But do these organisations know what they want?

TRADE: India Making Mistake By Investing in Oil in Sudan – Rebels

India is making a "fateful mistake" by investing in oil in Sudan, warn rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).

TRADE-SOUTH AFRICA: A Major Campaign Launched To Attract Tourists

Hot on the heels of the United Nations declaring three South African attractions World Heritage Sites, the government of President Thabo Mbeki has launched a campaign to draw more tourists to the country.