ABSTRACT

Communications play an important role in human conduct and national and international affairs. However, the role of communications-especially international communications-has been besieged with controversies. The controversies deal with structural issues as well as the fl ow of information and its effects on national sovereignty (Allenye, 1995; Domatob, 1988; McPhail, 2006; Thussu, 2000; Uche, 1988, 1994, 1997). It should be noted that similar concerns exist within countries. For example, governments in developing countries are often accused of maintaining control of the mass media, thus infl uencing their contents to promote their policies and retain power (Domatob, 1988; Uche, 1988, 1994, 1997)

Since the turn of the 20th century, studies have established a link between communication and the evolution of international relations (Allenye, 1995; McPhail, 1987, 2006; Thussu, 2000). Allenye (1995) explained that most aspects of international relations, including those concerned with mass media, deal with power. He contends that there are two types of power related to communication in global affairs: the power of communication and the power of information. Although he observes that both concepts are related, he pointed out that a distinction exists between the two. He explained that structural issues such as ownership of mass media networks, technologies, and government policies give the founders of dominant world media systems the power of communication. However, he states that the ability to gather and infl uence mass media consumers to support an idea such as human rights, political freedom, and environmental protection are related to the power of information. The use of mass media artifacts enables the proprietors of the world media systems to achieve the later goal. It could be argued that the interlocked relationship between communication and information exists because one cannot do with the other.