Problem

Disparities in global distribution of communication resources and facilities

Other Names:
Inadequate development of national communication services
Nature:

Communications are a powerful instrument in the motivation and mobilization of human effort. Communication disparities exist in both developed and developing countries. In industrialized countries, it is generally stratification—by sex, age, education, income level, nationality or race, employment, geography—that produces groups which are communication-deprived.

The tendency to concentrate communication facilities in a few urban centers, leads to a relative isolation of the rural communities from the rest of the country and the outside world. Some countries have TV transmitters which cover only the main cities and immediate surroundings; many villages have no telephones, as the existing networks are for urban populations only. Illiteracy obviously excludes many from use of communication facilities, as does the limited production and distribution of newspapers, periodicals and books. These basic drawbacks are compounded in many countries by the number of languages used by different population groups, for which it would be economically impossible to provide printed material.

Incidence:

The least industrialized countries are particularly disadvantaged in the coverage of their population by telephones (3.7 per 1,000 people), postal services (one post office for 11,000 people), radio transmission and radio receivers.

Subject(s):
Communication Communication
Development Development
International Relations Planetary initiatives
Resources Resources
Social Activity Services
Societal Problems Imbalances
Societal Problems Inadequacy
Transportation, Telecommunications Distribution
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
GOAL 1: No PovertyGOAL 2: Zero HungerGOAL 3: Good Health and Well-beingGOAL 4: Quality EducationGOAL 5: Gender EqualityGOAL 6: Clean Water and SanitationGOAL 7: Affordable and Clean EnergyGOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthGOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureGOAL 10: Reduced InequalityGOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesGOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionGOAL 13: Climate ActionGOAL 14: Life Below WaterGOAL 15: Life on LandGOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong InstitutionsGOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems
Date of last update
09.04.2019 – 14:18 CEST