Asian governments encouraged to lift controls on
information
By Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 January 2007 1532
hrs
SINGAPORE: Asian countries need to lift government controls on
information and data to feed innovation and the knowledge
economy.
Singapore's Ambassador-At-Large Professor Tommy Koh said the
restrictions hamper research in innovation.
To catch up with the West, Asia needs to embrace freedom of thought
and expression as part of Asian values.
Professor Koh made these comments at an international conference on
knowledge and information.
Conference speakers said libraries play a part in spreading
knowledge and information and are an important tool to help Asian
countries develop.
The information industry is worth US$380 billion and search
providers like Google and Yahoo are leading the industry
growth.
More than 20 specialists from around the world are here for the
two-day conference.
They will discuss the future of the information and knowledge
professionals, address current challenges facing the industry and
explore ways to reach out to the new generation. - CNA
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