Site Unseen: Implications for Programming and Policy

Abstract

Its technical success illustrates that large-scale rural applications of satellite broadcasting are possible; the evaluation of its efectiveness raises important considerations for future programming.Ever since two-way and broadcast communication by satellite to inexpensive terminals became technically and economically feasible, people have been speculating and experimenting with possible applications that take advantage of the particular capabilities of this technology. Initial speculation focused on programs for primary school education, sometimes involving several nations. Subsequent experimental projects concentrated on support of professional activities and continuing education. SITE is the first application to include education of a mass rural population as a major component. Furthermore, it is the first use of satellites for social development on such a large scale.In this article we consider aspects of the project which may have not been measurable or even visible, but which are important in understanding both the internal dynamics of the project and its implications. We first examine SITE'S Clifford Block is Associate

Bilateral Aid in Communications: The U.S. Agency for International Development

“…In 1974, AID conducted an international workshop at the U.S. sites of the ATS-6 satellite experiments, then followed up with a series of studies on the development implications of those experiments, and in 1976 carried out a field assessment of India's SITE project (5). Later in 1976, the "AIDSAT" program used ATS-6 for demonstrations of small earth-station technology, together with teleconferences on development possibilities, with 27 developing nations.…”

“…The AID Rural Satellite Program is the only donor activity systematical-ly focusing on the use of satellite telecommunications by institutions in the developing world.2 This program builds on a long history of exploratory activities by AID, starting in 1966 with the contribution of the polrcy idea of using NASA's experimental satellites for user experiments and followed by the design and funding of early studies with India (by Wilbur Schramm and Lyle Nelson), Brazil, and other Latin American countries. In 1974, AID conducted an international workshop at the U.S. sites of the ATS-6 satellite experiments, then followed up with a series of studies on the development implications of those experiments, and in 1976 carried out a field assessment of India's SITE project (5). Later in 1976, the "AIDSAT" program used ATS-6 for demonstrations of small earth-station technology, together with teleconferences on development possibilities, with 27 developing nations.…”