Information, Communication and Ethnic Cultural Changes in Border Areas

Abstract

This study conducted in the Sino-, Laotian-, and Cambodian-Vietnamese border areas shows that sources of information and access to information are different depending on the available means of communication, ethnic group, gender, age, and occupation. Information and communication are double-faced. On the one hand, they help ethnic groups better access information about government policies and development programmes and the expansion of social networks; thereby creating momentum for flexible, dynamic household economic development towards poverty reduction, while contributing to the preservation and development of certain elements of traditional culture. On the other hand, they can also cause social and political insecurity; and undermine ethnic traditional cultural values and human nature. This article has proposed recommendations to promote the positive effects and minimize the negative impacts of information and communication, including preserving and promoting the value of culture of the ethnic groups.