FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

The United Nations' Universal Declaration on Human Rights endorses 'Freedom of Expression' which includes both 'Freedom of Opinion' and 'Freedom of Access to Information'.The Freedom of Expreesion includes the right seek,receive,and impart information and ideas,through any media.

The Internet has played a critical role in serving this freedom of information as it defines all limitations of distance, language and socio-economic status pretaining to expression and access to information.

However,the rise of ICT has generated a digital gap between people with extensive use of the Internet (frontrunners) and whose who have no access to modern technology (laggards).This gap growing with every passing day,both internationally and within the nations,and is referred to as the Digital Divide.

HOW TO BRIDGE THE GAP

The digital gap must be briged before it is too late.It can be achieved with the efforts of both the government and the citizens of the nation.

By the Government

• The government should conduct awareness camps and classes for the elderly to address their hesitation of using information technology.
• All the government institutes must be encouraged to propose various computer courses at nominal fees.
• The government should provide Internet access to the remotest parts of the country.
• Farmers should be imparted adequate knowledge of ICT in order to increase their expentise in the field of agriculture.
• The government should provide computers and tablets at a low price to students.

By the Citizens

• You can help someone in learning computers by assisting and conducting classes for them at regular intervals.
• You can also give your old computer to a person who cannot buy a computer

Learning Computers with KIPS