정보 및 정보기술의 상업화에 따른 정보유통의 불균형

Information inequality in commercialization of and information technology

Information, or the lack of information, is the central concern of many people. And it is now an economic resource and must be paid. An ever increasing gap will grow between information 'have' and 'have not'. The new communications market place is a social phenomenon, and a vital key to examining changing patterns of social and cultural inequality. There are two main arenas of action in this ongoing conflict. Inside the library system itself, a combination of forces is weakening the historic principle of free, socially underwritten access. Outside, great efforts have been exerted in recent years, by private interests, to capture the information stockpiles built up from tax-su n.0, pported outlays on research and development and general governmental activities that produce data. The for-profit a n.0, pplication of the new information technologies threatens the survival of the free access principles. And the commercialization of information is proceeding almost uninterruptedly. It has been extended into areas that historically have been regarded as non-profit-making and endowed with a deep public interest. This study discussed some general issues and what we should do.