There are a number of factors that contribute to the absence of an overarching national information policy.
2.3.1. Do countries need implicit or explicit national information policies
Orna (2008:550) explains that implicit national information policies are policies which are not clearly stated. The policy in this case is to have no formal policy and to leave it to the marketplace. On the other hand explicit policies are policies which are clearly spelt out and are formalized in an official document.
There is discussion in literature among information scientists on whether countries need implicit or explicit national information policies in order to develop into an information society (Owen et al 2012; UNESCO, 2009a; Orna 2008; Smith, 2002; Rowland, 1996;
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Mchombu and Miti, no date;). Orna (2008:551) observes that countries like UK, USA, and Netherlands, which are using the market approach, do not have explicit national information policies but have strong information industries. One is therefore bound to query the need for countries to develop explicit national information policies. UNESCO (2009a: 44) acknowledges that countries which have made advances towards achieving information societies are those that have produced overall information policy documents. UNESCO (2009a:45) advances what are termed as three fundamental objectives of a national information policy. The first one is to democratize access to information. This entails provision and use of information and ICTs within the reach of all persons regardless of any barrier. The second objective is to develop capacities by educating society to be more effective users of ICTs and services at all levels of formal and informal education. In particular, to build capacity for research and technological innovation, and generation of national content on the part of public institutions and local contents on the part of different social groups. The third objective is to achieve an adequate legal and regulatory framework. The legal and regulatory frameworks here refer to a series of applicable policies, laws, regulation and executing institutions including mechanisms that together provide the framework. It is necessary that countries address the legal, regulatory and institutional issues which impede the development of national information services and connectivity to both local and global information networks.
2.3.2 National information policy or national information policies
There are two divergent views coming from information scientists on whether countries should pursue the development of a national information policy or national information
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policies targeting specific information sectors or sub-sectors. Some have argued that governments should strive to develop an all-encompassing national information policy which would accommodate all the information sub-sectors and at the same time address issues of linkages among them (UNESCO, 2009a:37). Since an information society comprises many interrelated sectors and sub-sectors, it would be very difficult to approach each one of them in an isolated way. On the other hand, information scientists are advancing the view that although most of the literature refers to national information policy in the singular, there is not an all-encompassing policy, rather information policies that address specific issues in specific sectors (Rowland 1996:14; Mchombu and Miti, no date:237). If all the sectors, as diverse as they are, were dealt with in one national information policy, Mchombu and Miti (no date:239) observe that it would be complex to formulate and difficult to implement. The envisaged problem with this approach of sectoral policies is that it may breed fragmentation, contradictions and repetitions of issues among the policies. Sectors therefore, need guidance from an overarching policy
2.3.3 What prevents countries from developing a national information policy Information scientists have advanced a number of other reasons that impede the development of a national information policy. One of the reasons is the lack of clarity on the definition of the concept of a national information policy which has had a substantial effect on the way policy is formulated and implemented. For instance, Stone (1996:Online) observes that national information policy is often confused with a national information strategy and a national information plan. Stone further explains that a strategy will answer the question of “how” while a plan will look at “mechanisms”
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required for implementation. This confusion has certainly contributed to the failure of countries to successfully implement national information policy development processes.
Researchers contend that poor government‟s involvement in the provision of information has also contributed to the problem, particularly in Africa. Governments have restricted the flow of information through classification of information as secret and having control over mass media to determine what may be published. Governments have also introduced censorship, and the rural-urban divide in information services. They have denied the public the right of access to government information and they have hustled writers (Mchombu and Miti, no date:236). Ayoo and Otike (2002:351–356) writing on factors impeding the development of a national information policy in Kenya, are of the view that poor recognition of the relevance of information in development by government has contributed to the status-quo. They also cite insufficient funds, transferring of policy makers between government departments, underdeveloped information infrastructure; lack of committed information professionals and qualified man power to champion and drive the policy formulation process; advancements in information technologies and skills development, and lack of user-tailored services, as having alienated governments to national information policy. Uhegbu (2004:44-46) has similar sentiments regarding national information policy impediments in Nigeria.
Uhegbu reckons that lack of Government‟s interest in information services, particularly the role of information in economic, scientific and technological advancement is not appreciated. Uhegbu further observes that lack of a stable economy and politics where every new government brings in new policies; underdeveloped information professional associations with no passion and direction to pursue and drive the process of national
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information policy; dire information facilities for research and publishing; low literacy rates and; government interference in the functions of information institutions have been hindrances to the development of the policy.
Browne (1997) also notes that a number of problems relating to consistency and integration of policies emanate from the lack of recognition of the role of information.
Browne further notes that the manner in which government‟s policy initiatives are handled has also contributed to the shortcomings. Governments have often times developed policies in response to demands raised by communities or powerful lobbying groups. It is evident that these groups have not exerted enough pressure related to information matters to result into a coherent national information policy.