[governance] NYT opinion by Vint Cerf: Internet Access is not a HR

[Narine Khachatryan]

Dear all,


I fully support the opinion of Divina Frau-Meigs. There are a number of
researches saying that the spread of ICTs results in increased inequalities
in the societies and new forms of inequalities, since only people able to
gain from the new opportunities benefit from Internet and ICTs.



One of the arguments is that law-income countries often have scarce
resources for investment, if those investments are directed to ICTs, basic
needs still may not be addressed. I put a link to a research paper by
Mansell (LSE), who demonstrates, that ICTs can bring ‘destabilizing effects
on the economies’ of poor countries.



The question is *how* these ICTs are introduced in developing countries,
having, for instance, less than 1 per cent of broadband penetration and
less than 4 per cent of Internet users.


ICTs are recognized as tools fostering inclusion in the society on one
hand, and promoting greater participation of people in decision-making
processes, on the other hand. However, being tools of empowerment, in
authoritarian regimes ICTs can be turned into instruments of censorship,
surveillance and oppression.



Access to ICTs means increased access to information and knowledge, but it
does not necessarily mean that people who receive the access will *use*, *
process* and *multiply* the knowledge.


Developing countries often have very poor local content, Internet resources
consumed by people are mostly of external origin and mainly serve
entertainment purposes.  And the divide is growing *not only* because the
access to ICTs are unequal, but mainly because the *ability* to process
information become unequal (critical thinking skills and the ability to
create own content).


Therefore, ICT access issues need to be re-assessed in terms of *skills*and
*capabilities* which people need to better participate in their societies,
to gain from new education and learning opportunities.


http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/24990/1/The_Information_Society_and_ICT_Policy_(LSERO).pdf


Best,
Narine Khachatryan
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