Explain New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO)

In 1970's and 1980's, broadcast mass media was dominated by few developed countries America, England and France mainly. There was almost a one-sided flow of information from developed countries to poorer countries. Very little news flowed the other way, and often news about developing countries was distorted or rejected by media houses. Thus these countries were not represented in the media broadcasts.

There were concerns from many people about how the then broadcast media was dominated by the very few developed countries. Most channels carried American Movies and serials.

These poor populations saw mostly American channels and were influenced by it. Their culture was not reflected in the media thus there were culture shocks, disparities and trends in developing countries started aping the ‘west’.

These concerns about unbalanced media coverage around the world was coined as New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO).

It was controversial in UNESCO, due to the following reasons-

1. It was seen as a demand for a fair and balanced flow of International news.

2. It was an invitation to states to control the free collection and distribution of news.