Assertion (A): The new international information and communication order is a dead horse in a unipolar world. Reason (R): The developing countries do not opt for policy initiatives to strengthen the global efforts for a new international and communication order. (A) Both (A) and (R) are true. (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false. (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true. Correct Ans: (A) Explanation: The New International Information and Communication Order (NIICO) aimed to create a balanced global media landscape by reducing the information gap between developed and developing countries. However, in today’s unipolar world, where a few dominant countries control global media, the NIICO has lost its relevance. The assertion states that NIICO is a "dead horse" in a unipolar world, which is true. The global media landscape is still dominated by Western nations, making it difficult for developing countries to have an equal voice. Large media conglomerates from powerful nations control information flow, leaving little room for change. The reason states that developing countries do not take policy initiatives to strengthen NIICO, which is also true. Many developing nations focus on economic growth rather than challenging global media structures. They also lack the resources to implement major policy changes. Since both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R supports A but is not the sole reason, the correct answer is (A). The decline of NIICO reflects shifting global power dynamics and the lack of collective action from developing nations.