Certain non-Islamic countries are also cited as instances of major nation-States where Ministries of Information exist, with recognized functions either under the name of the “Ministry of Information” or under the names of “Ministry of Culture/Arts/Heritage/Media” etc. but the latter of which partially, or substantially perform the role of an official oversight entity for the media sector. Such countries include the following examples, with notes quoted from accessed websites:
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[accordion title=”China” id=780]Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MITT) of the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the state agency of the People’s Republic of China responsible for regulation and development of the postal service, Internet, wireless, broadcasting, communications, production of electronic and information goods, software industry and the promotion of the national knowledge economy.
Web: http://www.miit.gov.cni
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[accordion title=”Thailand” id=780]Thailand has a well-developed media sector, especially by Southeast Asian standards. Compared to other countries in the region, the Thai media have historically been relatively free, although the government has always exercised considerable control, especially over broadcast media.
Web: http://thailand.prd.go.th/index.php
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[accordion title=”Philippines” id=780]The Office of the President is responsible for managing the government’s policy toward the press, but freedom of speech and freedom of the press are enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.
Web: http://www.gov.ph/directory/presidential-communications-operationsoffice/
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[accordion title=”Kenya” id=780]The Media Council of Kenya is an independent national institution established by the Media Act, 2007 as the leading institution in the regulation of media and in the conduct and discipline of journalists in Kenya. Prior to the Media Act 2007, the Media Council of Kenya was a self-regulatory body formed in 2004 by media stakeholders to regulate the media and prevent Government from creating a regulatory body? It was only after agreements between the Government of Kenya and the Media stakeholders in Kenya that it was converted from a Self-Regulatory to a statutory body in 2007.
Web: http://www.mediacouncil.or.ke/
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[accordion title=”Ghana” id=780]The media of Ghana, now one of the most free in Africa, has previously undergone a series of government overthrows by military leaders and periods of severe restriction. Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees freedom of the press and independence of the media, while Chapter 2 prohibits censorship.
The Ministry of Information has existed under different names since independence in 1957. Its new name is The Ministry of Information and Media Relations.
Web:http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/govemance/ministries/317-ministry-of-information
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