Addressing Communication and Information Poverty in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The document argues that communication and information poverty—characterized by lack of access to platforms, media misrepresentation, and low media literacy—undermines the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It specifically analyzes the intersections between communication rights and SDGs 5, 9, 16, and 17, while providing recommendations for a rights-based approach to communication. The report highlights the need to democratize media systems, increase digital media literacy, and address the specific needs of marginalized groups, particularly Indigenous peoples, which it claims are insufficiently addressed in Agenda 2030.

• Communication and information poverty is defined as a form of poverty arising from structural deficits that prevent people from fully participating in decision-making processes. Its manifestations include lack of access to platforms, under- or misrepresentation in media, low media literacy, limited access to public information, and the absence of a free, independent, and pluralistic media sector.
• Gender inequality is a key dimension of communication and information poverty, as it affects how women and girls are represented in media and their access to platforms. This undermines their ability to exercise freedom of expression and participate in decision-making, thereby perpetuating broader gender inequality.
• While SDGs 9 and 17 promote universal internet and mobile telephony access, the report argues that mere access is insufficient. It emphasizes that structural issues regarding ownership, regulation, privacy, and illegal surveillance of civil society must be addressed to ensure digital platforms contribute to sustainable development.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) is closely linked to communication rights, as media freedom and access to information are essential for reducing corruption, promoting the rule of law, and ensuring accountable institutions. However, the report notes that Goal 16 fails to explicitly reference linguistic rights, digital convergence, and media ownership.
• The report identifies critical gaps in Agenda 2030, stating that it lacks focus on the democratization of media systems, media literacy for the digital age, and the specific communication needs of historically marginalized communities.
• Indigenous peoples face significant communication and information poverty, often suffering from poor political representation and cultural discrimination. The report argues that a rights-based approach to communication is essential for realizing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• In Latin America, some countries (such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay) have developed laws to democratize media by promoting equitable license distribution between public, private, community, and sometimes indigenous sectors and discouraging media concentration.

APA

World Association for Christian Communication (2018). Addressing Communication and Information Poverty in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). https://waccglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Addressing-Communication-and-Information-Poverty2018.pdf

Chicago

World Association for Christian Communication. Addressing Communication and Information Poverty in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2018. https://waccglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Addressing-Communication-and-Information-Poverty2018.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Association for Christian Communication |title=Addressing Communication and Information Poverty in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |date=2018 |url=https://waccglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Addressing-Communication-and-Information-Poverty2018.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldassociationforchristiancommunication2018addressing, author = {{World Association for Christian Communication}}, title = {{Addressing Communication and Information Poverty in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)}}, institution = {World Association for Christian Communication}, year = {2018}, url = {https://waccglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Addressing-Communication-and-Information-Poverty2018.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }