Article: "Conflict develops where there is an absence or the denial of the ability to access, to analyse, to synthesise, and to disseminate information freely"

It looked to me that even from the examples given the primary trigger for conflict was one group hogging the available resources. The reason given above was a second order driver; one possible way the disproportionate allocation of resources might happen. I guess the article is saying it is the main (only?) way it happens.

I can go with most wars boiling down to arguments over the control of resources - or to put it another way the desire for some bastard to get rich. But asserting the control of information flow is the main weapon people use to hog resources? In fact it looks like the article takes it further - implying if you release the information flow and everything will fix itself. This is a bit hard to swallow without evidence, and none was given.

rstuart,

Unfortunately, those who are holding the levers of power, - that is, controlling the flow of information and hogging the resources, - will not let go voluntarily. Before that happens, there is usually a cathertic event that actually strips them of power. This happened in Germany, when the Nazis lost the control of the media and the control of the economy. In a far less dramatic way it happened in Poland and in the Ukrain.
Allowing the concentration of all the media simply cannot happen in a Western style democracy. (Admittedly, some energy suppliers are trying their best to acquire a monopoly, but contrary to appearances, they will not succeed.)

We should not allow ourselves be too influenced by the popular media. (There are commendable media outlets that are better at reflecting reality.) There are many influences, even in places like Iran and Belarus, where the picture is far more fluid than portrayed by the popular media. In places like the Sudan or Israel/Palestine, we just have to wait a little longer.