Developing Information Society in Iran: Opportunities and Challenges Views of technical experts and communication theorists

In this article, we try to examine theories and viewpoints about the formation and development of information society and history of the emergence of this term, and we assess also the present status of Iran on the way toward information society. After theoretical studies, The Q methodology was used by researchers to assess the viewpoints of technical experts and theorists of information society on developing information society in Iran. In this study, a questionnaire included 73 Q-sorts, was made in the context of optimistic theories, critical theories, and neutral or intermediate theories. These Q-sorts were classified in three general categories, as indicators of issues, including the common principles of information society, accessibility or special needs to information society and the applications of information society. Based on this study, among 73 Q-sorts of Research, the two groups of respondents (20 technical experts, 20 communication theorists), have reached to an agreement on 55 Q-sorts, and on 18 other Q-sorts have disagreed. The viewpoint of experts and theorists of information society is that in current situation of Iran, considering the socio-cultural infrastructures is the most important principle to achieve the information society, which requires properly and accurate planning. They emphasize on the undeniable role of government in establishment of the information society, but they do not agree with the governmental implemented or ongoing plans.