Giving away Secrets: Can Open Source Convert the Software World?

"In today's world, the development of nations depends not only on the free flow of information, but also on people's ability to control and adapt the information as they see fit. This latter need is particularly important when it comes to software packages, and is globally acknowledged....However, the reality is that commercial software companies continue to have a proprietary hold over software packages sold and used in developing countries, and restrict the way the software can be used..."

The fifth in a series of briefing documents for journalists on various aspects of information and communication technology (ICT), this 6-page toolkit is offered by Panos and focuses on the role of free and open source software (FOSS) in fostering social and economic development around the world. It is motivated by the observation that, for many people in developing countries, commercial software packages are not an option because they are too expensive, are not available in local languages, and/or cannot be shared. FOSS advocates argue that the tools of information and communication should be in the public domain so that knowledge sharing can increasingly be generated; commercial software companies explain that they spend huge amounts of money on research and development (R&D) of software, and need to restrict usage in order to recoup their investments. This media briefing asks if these tensions can be reconciled.

Why is this issue important for the media? For one thing, Panos notes, FOSS has the potential to enhance journalists' ability to share, exchange, and process information. Also, the media can play a role in the debate, informing public opinion and monitoring policy aspects, as it has in the generic versus patented medicine debate on HIV/AIDS treatments. Beyond that, "It is important for the media to investigate the reasons why governments opt for a particular software package....Is it money well spent? Are there any alternative options and are our governments aware of them? Was the process of procurement open and transparent?...Will the government have access to the software's source code, the original program instructions, or is such access limited?"

Panos guides journalists in navigating these questions - and the larger debate - by presenting both a) "the case for open source software", and b) "the case for proprietary software". Among the communication for development (C4D)-specific reasons cited here for endorsing FOSS are that it:

• can minimise communication costs and maximise local potentials and creative capacities
• is rooted in principles of sharing and, hence, promotes the flow of communication and knowledge; "FOSS developers and supporters have social, economic and political motivations, rather than purely commercial ones"
• can be viewed as a public good created by citizens contributing their work in an open and collaborative fashion
• is better than proprietary software at promoting local language content - and "[m]ore participation by non-English speakers or those who are not familiar with the Roman alphabet is possible only when their languages are used in software".

While Panos strongly presents the case that FOSS can really work in the marketplace, this media briefing explains that open source software may not always be the cheapest option just because it is free to share (for instance, sometimes proprietary software is marketed as "shareware", yet after a trial period the user must purchase a license). In addition, some free products have "for-purchase" technical support and companion products. Furthermore, "[o]pen source software isn't all about altruism"; commercial companies make profits by distributing FOSS. A number of challenges for FOSS are detailed here; for example, many developing countries lack key enablers of the FOSS movement, such as internet connectivity and/or sufficient numbers of software developers to modify, adapt and support FOSS applications.

To further prepare journalists for engaging in these debates, specific software development models are illustrated - in graphic as well as descriptive text - and various issues are outlined, with corresponding questions for journalists to ask. A list of websites that members of the media can consult for further information is provided at the end of the resource.