International information flow and its impact on developing societies: a systematic bibliometric and thematic review

Abstract This systematic review examines the evolution of international information flows and their social, cultural, and economic implications for developing societies within contemporary digitally mediated environments. Analyzing 120 academic sources, the study uses a two-stage approach. First, it maps publications with Gephi to evaluate trends, citation patterns, and scholarly influence. Then, it conducts an inductive thematic analysis with NVivo to reveal key concepts and empirical issues. The review revisits the historical legacy of the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) and examines whether the historical imbalances in access, representation, and control still exist in the digital age. The findings reveal that, despite increased connectivity, global information flows remain shaped by Western-centric platform power, uneven digital infrastructure, and ongoing cultural and media imperialism in the Global South. Although there is evidence of resistance through localized content production and selective media growth, this agency continues to operate within lasting structural and governance limitations. By blending traditional international communication theories with current discussions on platformization and digital colonialism, this review highlights that digital transformation has altered, rather than eliminated, global communication inequalities. The study emphasizes the ongoing importance of NWICO-informed views and calls for updated theoretical frameworks and inclusive governance approaches to promote fairness in global media systems.