INTRODUCTION
The existence
of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as one of key drivers of
globalization has become the foremost discussion around the world. One of
notable discussions is that ICT, such as dekstop 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”.
At the same
time, ICT’s usage is also fastly increasing.Internet World Statistic (2011)
shows that around 2 billion people in the world are being online with more than
60% of users concentrated in Europe and America and less than 11% in Africa.
Countries with abundant access to technology is “the information-haves” class
and the rest into “the information-have-nots”.
LITERATURE REVIEW
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 (2002, p. 2), identified the excistence of a divide which
“separates people with access from those without the access to information
technology. Castells (2002), as cited in Fuchs & Horak (2008, p.248),
identifies digital divide as “inequality to the internet” while Norris (2001,
p.248), defines it as “any and every disparities within the online community”. the term digital divide rose publicy in the
mid 1990s as the National.
Multifaceted Nature of the Informations Have-Not
There
are several factors why the developing countries are trapped in “the
information have-nots”. First, the market influence. Second, the unequal
investment in infrastructure. Among these, market influence is considered to be
the major reinforcement of technology gap. It is understandable since progress
of technology assimilation in developing countries is always been faced with
“unsurmountable obstacles of high expenses” required to implement the process
(Murelli, 2002, p.2).
However,
the digital divide isn’t only linked to issue of physical access. In other
words, 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.
Digital Divide and Information Society
The
ideal explanation is that the digital divide manufests with socio-economic
disparities. Users who have more experiences with internet are more likely to
have a higher socio-economic status. In other words, being disconnected is
equivalent to less opportunity. Hence, the digital divide will almost likely
affect the social and economic progress in developing countries.
DISCUSSION
Bridging the Digital Divide: 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. In practical term, APC is formed
to provide people with ICT infrastructures. On policy basis, it is actively
involved in assisting governments, especially in developing countries, to
produce information and communications policies in order to make “accessing and
using the internet easier” (Association for Progressive Communications, 2011,
p.2)
Indonesia and the Digital Divide: A smaller of Bigger Picture
By
the 21st century, one of notable discussions is regarding the
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) inevitable infiltration to the
society’s daily basis activities. History has proved that the invention of
communication tools such as printed media or telephone has facilitated peoplr
to extend their ideas or even inspired them to transform the governmental
system (Crowler & Heyer, 2011).
Indonesia,
in this point, has also experiencing the same condition. In fact, it is
categorized as one of developing countries that alleviating its positions 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 platform 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.
However,
there is a considerable irony within the country itself. Take a look at Papua,
Indonesia’s farest west area. It condition as remote are has made Papua one of
non-electricity province not to mention less technological aspect.
