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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