Implementing policy change (IPC)

This study analyzes Mali's telecommunications and information access policy environment. (1) There is a general lack of awareness in Mali as to potential misuse of the Global Information Infrastructure, and how that might conflict with societal, cultural, legal norms and behavior. There is reason to closely monitor the activities of Le Counseil Superieure de Communications and Le Comite National d'Egal Acces aux Media d'Etat -- watchdog organizations that could attempt to overstep their authority and become a constraint to open, competitive telecommunications growth. (2) The Ministry of Culture and Communications is developing its policy regarding telecommunications ownership and service provision, including such issues as competition among value-added providers (e.g., Internet and e-mail services) and the continued proliferation of the Rural Radio network. USAID should participate in policy dialogue and formulation in order to encourage an open market. (3) USAID should support the growth of the Internet, still in its nascent stages in Mali, by supporting installation of a state-of-the-art Internet node and of Internet sites at, for example, l'Ecole Nationale Superieure and the Cha

Source: DEC abstract, PN-ABY-736 (1996). This is the source's own text, not a cited summary of the documents.