Reading

The mass media of the 20th century made it impossible for the ordinary folk to have much
influence through the mass media. The cost of ownership of the media was so high that media
ownership was easily in the hands of the elite. Though the people may at times develop their own
media, these efforts were very limited in scope and often did not last for long.

Perhaps some developments which took place during the last decade of the 20th century may
alter the course of human communication in the 21st century. Private computers and
communication facilities that enable individuals to contact others without dependence on huge
press establishments may once again bring about the type of folk communication which is able to
resist the elite¡¦s predetermination of the life of the people. The potential for this now exists. The
realization will very much depend on the use of this potential by folk movements themselves.

These types of private communication also help to break down the draconian laws of copyrights
which hinder human communication. Among the ordinary people, the sharing of ideas, opinions
and information has always been free. Much of the world¡¦s achievements, such as building
irrigation systems in the past, the control of water for human use, the development of crops, the
organisation of sanitation, the developments of song, dance and other forms of culture, have
been on the basis of the free communication of ordinary people. This may once again become
possible through the private communication facilities which are now becoming available to the
ordinary folk.

The development of enlightenment in the 21st century will very much depend on the use of
modern technology for private communication among the ordinary people. If the ordinary people
liberate themselves from being mere consumers of information produced by the State and other
big establishments and instead begin to talk about their own problems to each other, this private
discourse may lead to different forms of understanding among the people. This private discourse
may lead to actions and reactions among ordinary people in the world, the pressure of which will
make itself felt in all important areas of life, be it global warming, the planning of production,
dealing with issues of discrimination and all other matters.

Questions for discussion

a) Have your tried to write an urgent appeal on behalf of any one or any issue?
b) If you have done so, have you tried to get the help of any other organization engaged in international
dissemination of such appeals ( for example AHRC), to give wide publicity to your appeal?)
c) If your answers to the above two questions are the negative, what were reasons for not trying this?
d) Do you agree that this way you may be able to get greater attention for your appeals than by relying on
the normal mass media, such as the press or TV?
e) Have you considered the fact that by use of private communication, you can control time and the content
of your appeal better than through the general mass media?
f) Do you think it is worth giving this a try? If the answer is in the affirmative what do you propose to do to
give this approach a try?
g) You may ask similar questions regarding the use of email and internet for signing petitions, conducting
debates on issues you think important, sharing information and even conducting education.