11 December 2003

Interview with Ms Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of Development Information Service Division (DISD) of the Economic Commission for Africa

ECA, the Media and ICT4D

Q. Can you briefly talk about the content of the study?

KBB. It is a documentary evidence to point out how information and communication technology issues are covered by African Media including television, radio print and online media; ECA and OSIWA recognise that the media are key factors for building the information society in terms of providing content development on various issues that can attract the interest of the masses.
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Q. Are the nine survey countries a representative?

KBB. We attempted to have some basic regional representation. It is not statistical study. It is a reflection of the status. We thought that the media in these countries are relevant. The study covered countries that have a long-standing advanced media history, such as Egypt as well as those that are not as advanced. It is clear from the Study that those that are advanced are well trenched in the in the information society.

Q. Do you plan to commission similar studies on others countries?

KBB. No, not in the same way we did it with this Study! We intend to publish an indepth study on African Media in 2005.

Q. What are ECA's expectations for the second phase of World Summit on the Information Society?

KBB. We find the overall process of the summit very interesting and so in this regard, we are trying to raise awareness among our constituents in Africa. Bringing Africa into the Information Society is not easy, its takes a time. After the second phase in Tunis, we expect to consolidate all the outcomes. I think that Tunis phase will be more concrete because it will be based on a lot of reality.

WSIS 2003

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