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Kamis, 19 November 2015

FRAMING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

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.

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