Contemporary issues in multimedia and information technology

Contemporary issues in multimedia and information technology Media and the rising ease of information access have facilitated major legal and societal concerns in the past. Digital convergence and globalization in the present societies raise intricate legal, societal and ethical issues, regarding information access, privacy rights, intellectual property rights and freedom of expression (Gupta, 2005, p. 123).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Contemporary issues in multimedia and information technology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Because information and Communication Technology is an instrumental tool for gathering information, it should be availed as a basic human right. However, this right is abused all over the world for various reasons such as political stability, anti terrorism campaigns, economic advancements, personal greed and for religious causes. Governments have had concerns over the liberty and use of technologies, in regard to national securities. In addition to this, it is becoming more difficult for governments to control accessibility to the global information systems. Because if this, the fundamental concern over ICT is creating a balance between information access and marinating national security (Schultz, 2006, p. 118). The ethical issue is how a government can decide on controlling access, to what extent, and what kind of information they should control. The media has made it possible for people to access information as well as communicate globally. An example of this is the happening in Egypt, in January 2011, when people use internet media and social sites to organize protests against the then Egyptian president. Because of these concerns, it has been important for governments to come up with strategies of combating incidences of malicious attacks, computer crimes, fraud, and violations of rights. Governments need to inform citizens of the security risks involved in internet and media information access. While it is important for governments to control information flow for national security, it is also important for them to make their citizens aware of the need for the control. Creating a balance between access and security should not be a difficult decision for governments to make because the ICT sector has recognised global ethical issues that affect the industry, and as such, devised ethical guidelines on how to handle such. In addition to these, there are legislations that guide information handling, access and use. If a country recognises the citizen’s right to obtain information, as well as the importance of obtaining these information, it would not selfishly deny them the right. However, in cases such as the Egypt saga, they are globally recognised as selfish attempts by government leaders to deny citizens their right to access information (Liebowitz khosrowpour, 1997, p. 78).Advertising Looking for essay on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Le arn More Following the rising insecurities and ethical problems associated with digital communication, recent political persuasions seem to be focused on creating greater surveillance on communications. They hope that this will solve the problem of digital crimes, as well as help them maintain safety in their territories. This may not be the case, as every country has its own security concern, which may not be important to another country. Because of the differences in their needs, it is difficult to find a comprehensive solution to all their concerns. This may in turn create conflicts and tensions between countries. Governments already have ways of controlling access to certain types of information that may lead to national insecurity. In case where there is need to keep information private from the public, there should be constitutional legislations that apply in order to maintain peace. It is important for governments to have these policies, provisions, and legislations t hat guide information and media freedom in early enough, so as to prevent abrupt protests. When the citizens, as well as the media are aware of government’s actions to prevent information access, they are less likely to act in defence. In addition tom this, governments should apply the global acceptable conditions for deciding on which information is considered a national threat, and how to keep it private from citizens. The same conditions are also applicable when formulating the provisions for media freedom, as well as personal freedom to information access. It is only possible for a country to devise its own legislations regarding digital communication, basing them on the global acceptable standards of information handling. This way, the country will be able to create laws that are suitable for its citizens, while maintain the global peace, regarding digital communication. References Gupta, V (2005). International Communication: contemporary Issues and trends in global inf ormation revolution. Boston: Concept publishing company Liebowitz, J and Khosrowpour, M (1997) Cases on information technology management in modern organizations. New York: Idea group IncAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Contemporary issues in multimedia and information technology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Schultz, R (2006).contemporary issues in ethics and information technology. New York: Idea group Inc Contemporary Issues in Multimedia and Information Technology Every day people can observe the changes which are connected with the information technologies and multimedia. It seems that modern scientists can create any technologies with any possibilities.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Contemporary Issues in Multimedia and Information Technology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The limits are only in our mind. Nevertheless, recent inventions support the idea the possibilities of our brain can be combined with information technologies. The progress in computer technology is enormous, and it is related to the aspects of the social and economical development. Today information technologies are in a constant progress. Several years ago it was impossible to imagine computers which can be controlled with the help of our brain. Nevertheless, today such technology exists and develops to present more opportunities for people. â€Å"In this newly developed technology, the scientists c onnect a computer with the human brain, and then program it to read the thought of that brain† (Brown 2011). This project can present the hope for the physically challenged people. The possibilities of such computers are rather difficult to overestimate, and they can be used in different fields of people’s social life. Moreover, scientists state that they â€Å"will be able to put tiny, permanent implants in people’ brains, and this will do away with the need for a keyboard or mouse† (Brown 2011). That phenomenon which was considered as a miracle earlier can become the part of our everyday reality in the future. Furthermore, â€Å"the potential to manipulate computers or machinery with nothing more than a thought† is really great (Grabianowski, n.d.). It can open a new age in the development of the opportunities of medicine, business, and entertainment. Thus, the level of people’s interaction with computer technology has shifted from using ke yboards to simple touches and then to using their brain. It was the start for the development of new horizons in the interaction of computer devices not only with people but also with the objects of their surroundings. It is the time when ‘iPad with legs’ appears as the touch-screen table and it â€Å"can recognise many gestures, hands and users at once as well as other physical objects placed on the table† (Moses 2011). In the future such devices will be used in airports, big shops, and hotels because their suitability is confirmed. It can be one of the most convenient ways to interchange the information.Advertising Looking for essay on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The possibility to exchange the information is considered as one of the most significant today. This tendency has affected the development of such a notion as a ‘digital divide’. It means that those people who have no access to modern information technologies have no opportunity to act in the information world at the same level as those who have the access (Hertz 2011). If we compare the possibilities of information technology and multimedia in the 2000’s with contemporary inventions, we can state that the progress is remarkable. The system of social and economical values also changes. Information, multimedia, and technology become the key factors for the human society because they give people a chance to be involved in the world information processes. References Brown, M., (2011).  Scientists create thought-controlled computer. Web. Grabianowski, E. How brain-computer interfaces work. Web. Hertz, M. B., (2011).  A new understanding of the digital divide. Web. Moses, A., (2011).  Microsoft Surface 2 imminent: More than a big iPad with legs. Web.