Global Wire Books is pleased to release today its annual report The State of International Communication 2016. This is an assessment of how 600 previous and current GWA clients view trends in information and communications technology (ICT) and social innovation. More than 50 percent of all web traffic now comes from mobile technology. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram continue to be the top social media tools among all participants. As print media and postal mail for accessing information continue to decline in developed countries, they remain essential resources in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
“The digital divide is still a problem in many parts of the world,” said Talia Whyte, managing director of Global Wire Associates. “While it is great to talk about the latest social media tools and tech gadgets, there are still many issues that create tech barriers, like income inequality and government censorship.”
More affordable smartphones, tablets, and computers have come onto the global market, making technology and communication more accessible to those who would otherwise not have access. However, cost prohibitive broadband and poor access to electricity and modern infrastructure continues to create barriers for many in the developing world and for some in low-income communities in developed countries. The growing use and recognition of alternative energy is seen worldwide.
“We also noticed a slow, but growing number of women participating in the online economy,” says Maria Ferrara, research and development director for Global Wire Associates. “We see more women and girls gaining computer literacy skills and using them to get better jobs and start their own businesses. However, more needs to be done to close the gender gap.”
Technological disparities among women in developing countries continue to widen the digital divide, and the majority of our participants in all regions agree that governments are doing more to make sure that ICT tools are accessible to all populations equally.
The State of International Communications 2016
Price: US$15.99
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Note: All GWA partnering organizations will receive a complimentary hard copy of the report during our UN Week activities in New York City and an electronic version by email today. Everyone else can buy the electronic version here.
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