ปีงบประมาณ 2534

ชื่อโครงการวิจัย              การไหลเวียนของข่าวสารระหว่างประเทศ : ศึกษากรณีไทยและญี่ปุ่น        

ผู้ทำวิจัย                        รศ.ไว  จามรมาน   

จำนวนหน้า                    19 หน้า

ABSTRACT

            We often take information flows for granted and assume that flows between individuals or across national boundaries occur without any friction in the process.  The internet system, satellite communication systems, and easy access to both printed and visual information results in most people feeling that they are being overloaded with information rather than suffering from an information shortage.  This makes it difficult for many people to accept the notion that international information flows are inhibited and that they could be improved.  In fact, research has shown that people often get so much information that they develop rules and schemes o help manage and minimize it.  Often times they make decisions based on a limited examination of what is available, because time pressures make examining all evidence impossible.  In other cases the sheer mass of available information creates more confusion than clarity.  However this perspective confuses quality with variety, and ignores issues related to the source of the information.  People may be getting more information than they need, but it tends to coming from a narrower range of sources and reflect a limited set of subjects.  This may not be much of a problem at the personal level, but at the national and international level the issue is more serious.

            As a society we all have a vested interest in knowing about what is happening in other countries.  This does not just relate to scientific or technological information, but also includes information about culture, literature, art, language, political systems, religion, and family life.  These affect the ability of people in one country to understand those in another, which can also facilitate the degree to which they can benefit from more tangible technological and scientific discoveries in other countries.  Obviously, there are financial incentives available that encourage the building of information flows related to scientific and technological information.  However, other types of international information flows are equally important.

            This paper attempts to examine some of the major issues related to the flow of information between countries.  It begins by looking at international information flows, in a contemporary and historical context.  The analysis then moves to a more specific case, which relates to the nature of information flows between Japan and Thailand.  This two national information flow highlight many of the issues related to international flows of information, such as the level of wealth, industrial development, culture, education, and political systems.  It also helps to illustrate the role of society in general in the dissemination of information.

            The degree to which the Thailand-Japanese case can be generalized is discussed, as well as the implications to these countries and others characterized by unequal flows of information.  Finally, the paper ends with a discussion of ways countries can helps reduce large gaps in the flows of information between nations.