BT examines its global impact

BT is to produce a document looking at the potentially negative impact of global communications technology on indigenous cultures.

Jan Walsh, BT’s head of corporate reputation and social policy, said the paper, due out in early 2000, would address the possibility that ‘blanket global homogenisation’ brought about by better communications could lead to ‘conflict, social upheaval and cultural alienation’.

She said BT is also working on a ‘community policy paper’, which was examined by board members last month.