Framing The Digital Divide

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a such as desktop computers, mobile phones and internet, has fundamentally changed our society as these modern means of communication can ”empower people, benefit business and individual and virtually link people around the world to share their views, ideas and innovations”.

 

History of Digital Divide

Historically, the term digital divide rose publicly in the mid-1990s as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) survey (1995), as cited in Servon, identified the existence of a divide which “separates people with access to information technology from those without it” in America. Castells (2002), as cited in Fuchs & Horak (2008, p.248), identifies digital divide as “inequality to the internet” while Norris defines it as

“any and every disparities within the online community”. Dijk sees digital divide as “the gap between those who do and do not have access to computers and internet”. Similarly, Brigde.org concludes it as “the 44 Framing The Digital Divide lost of opportunity for the information have-nots to use ICT to improve their lives”. In short, the digital divide can be understood as disparities in access to

information and communication technologies.

For example, Bridges.org documented that there were only around 14 million phone connections in whole Africa compared with Manhattan and Tokyo which were doubled in number. The International Telecommunications Union (2000), as cited in Wolf & MacKinnon recorded that about 77 million computers in America already have direct access to internet, while in Bangladesh, Angola, Chad and Syria less than ten computers are online.

Multifaceted Nature of the Informations

Most people believe that there are several factors to explain why the developing countries are trapped in “the information have-nots”. First factor is the market influence which correlates to high price of computers and internet services in developing countries. Second is unequal investment in infrastructure that suggests inadequate provision of high-end telecommunications facilities, and lastly, discrimination which implies in unbalanced usage of ICT due to ethnic group’s sentiment.

In other words, in order to use internet productively, people must acquire cognitive skills such as ability in seeking information and finding different types of information. Without skills, the presence of access will be worthless. Another dimension of digital divide is related to content.

As Giri argues that “a major gap has always existed between affluent people living in developed societies with an access to modern information technology and underprivileged people living in many parts rural communities in underdeveloped countries”, it is understandable if the digital divide reflects broader context of social and economic relations between developed and developing countries.

Study Case of Association of Progressive Communications (APC)

The Association of Progressive Communications (APC) was established in 1990. APC is an international non-governmental organization and a network which 50 members are widespread in five continents around the globe, the majority is based in developing countries. Currently, APC works on two broad levels of digital divide bridging effort; practice and policies.

APC members designated six strategic priorities for the network until 2012:

1. Advocate for affordable internet access for all

2. Secure and defend internet rights

3. Use emerging technologies for social change

4. Make technology work to sustain the environment

5. Build the information-commons

6. Improve governance, especially internet governance.

Indonesia and the Digital Divide

By the 21st century, technology developments have dominated the manner in which people live their life. One of notable discussions is regarding the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) inevitable infiltration to the society’s daily basis activities. Some scholars even support this discussion by purposing that the presence of ICT has had significant implications for societal life. Indonesia, in this point, has also experiencing the same condition. As reflected by Nugroho that the country, for some people, is “communication heaven”. In fact, it is categorized as one of developing countries 48 Framing The Digital Divide that alleviating its position from the “information have-nots” to those in “the information haves” due to the country’s progressive ICT development. Internet usage in Indonesia started to increase as platforms to access the net were provided more widely. The growing number of Warung Internet /Internet Cafes (Warnet) was one significant factor that had contributed greatly to the Ict adoption among Indonesians. Another crusial elemen that magnified the ICT adoption among Indonesians, especially youngster, is the distribution of cheap mobile phones equipped with large iternet capacity.