Cultural heritage collections are the new Olympics. Government funding is secured in a number of countries to create portals that carefully control messages regarding a nation’s collections, broadcasting each country’s heritage and accomplishments to the world. It is a political priority to actively influence worldwide online discussion, and money is consistently made available for digitisation, delivery, and promotion of selected national treasures. Content is allowed if it meets strict criteria, sticking to established narratives, and rejecting discussions of alternative histories or expanded representation. Access is free, in a push-only service. Open licensing allows branded resources to be reused in a wide variety of platforms and content. There is fierce competition between nations to rule the Wi-Fi-waves.
Links
Infrastructure Futures for Digital Cultural Heritage (project page)