Leveraging the New World Information and Communication Order: A Roadmap to Proper Communication in the Contemporary Nigerian Society

Abstract

The constant struggle for a better means of information communication has remained an issue of major concern. This is due to the bottlenecks often experienced when it comes to information generation and dissemination in developed and underdeveloped or developing nations. As a result of this, the processes of news gathering and reporting have remained imbalanced and controversial. As part of the solution to this controversy and imbalanced news flow, the 1970s witnessed an intense debate in international fora, which gave birth to the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) phenomenon. This concept was seriously faulted by some nations, such as the United States of America. However, due to major controversies that erupted during the series of meetings organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the order has remained a mirage. In light of this, the paper critically x-rayed the opportunities of the new world information and communication order in improving communication, from the Nigerian communication viewpoint. It looked at the historical development and the content of the order. It also revealed the perceived failure of the order which led to the exit of the US from UNESCO. The paper went further to look at issues surrounding the order, and its future expectation. It, therefore, concludes that the principles of NWICO align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as quality education, reduced inequalities, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and should be highly promoted by all.