Free and open source software enables more people to have access to information that they can control and adapt to suit their needs. Photo Credit: Thatcher Cook/Mercy Corps

In today's world, the development of nations depends not only on the free flow of information, but also on people's ability to control and adapt the information as they see fit. This latter need is particularly important when it comes to software packages, and is globally acknowledged by governments, local authorities, educational institutions and civil society. However, the reality is that commercial software companies continue to have a proprietary hold over software packages sold and used in developing countries, and restrict the way the software can be used.

This concern has led to an international movement for software packages that can be bought cheaply, shared freely and changed around and developed as the users want. Advocates of this movement, known as Free and Open Source Software, or FOSS, say the tools of information and communication should be in the public domain so that they can generate greater knowledge sharing in society.

Commercial software companies restrict the way software can be used in developing countries.

Commercial software companies counter this by saying that they spend huge sums of money on the research and development of software, and that, just like any other commercial venture, they need to restrict usage in order to recoup the investments.

How can these opposing views be reconciled in the interests of millions of potential software users in the developing world?

Why is this issue important for the media?

As with any other technology, the purchase of software by governments - or any other accountable institution - should be subject to media scrutiny. It is important for the media to investigate the reasons why governments opt for a particular software package, rejecting others, and to examine the mutual benefits and disadvantages. In a sense, this exercise is no different from reporting on any other routine government procurement - except that the sales of software are often worth billions of dollars. Is it money well spent? Are there any alternative options and are our governments aware of them? Was the process of procurement open and transparent? And what is the deal? Will the government have access to the software's source code, the original program instructions, or is such access limited?

Free and open source software has the potential to offer journalists more access to information and has become an important presence in the independent media movement.

With FOSS, journalists' ability to share, exchange and process information would be increased with no extra costs.

The media can play a vital role in promoting the debate on proprietary versus open source software. The media is no stranger to this debate: a similar debate is already taking place over patented versus generic medicines, particularly with reference to medicines to treat HIV and AIDS.

Click here to read the full PANOS report on open source software.




Reprinted with permission from PANOS Reports.

To read another Global Envision article about open source software, see Microsoft Supports Global Access to Technology.



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