Information ethics as a global Issue/north/south

Abstract

In order to appreciate the implications of information ethics as aglobal issue and specifically reflecting the North/and South, we needfirst to look at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this rightincludes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek,receive and impart information and ideas through any media andregardless of frontiers (UN, 1948). World Summit on the InformationSociety Geneva Declaration in which information ethics was identifiedas a critical component in building a people-centered, development-focused and inclusive information society. The declaration stipulatesthat everyone can create access, utilize and share information and knowledge enabling individuals and communities to achieve their fullpotential in promoting their development (WSIS, 2003).These declarations are universal in nature, and promote commonalityof principles, but they need to be interpreted and customized to specificcultural context. The Constitution of Kenya for example providesvarious articles on rights and fundamental freedoms. Article 35 of theConstitution of Kenya specifically deals access to information.Constitution of South Korea article 17 is on Privacy, article21 is on speech and censorship while article 22 is on intellectualrights. Constitution of Switzerland Article 16 is on freedom of Opinion