Access To Information In Developing Countries

Access to electronic information, whether this information is obtained through radio, television or internet, is still poor in developing countries. In comparison to industrialized countries, this lack of access to electronic information is referred to as the "digital divide". The digital divide is still tremendous: "By the end of 2004, 14 per cent of the world’s population were using the Internet, with a large digital divide separating developed and developing regions: Over half the population in developed regions had access to the Internet, compared to 7 per cent in developing regions and less than 1 per cent in the 50 least developed countries." (The Millennium Development Goals Report 2006)

In 2000, the UN Economic and Social Council adopted a "Ministerial Declaration", noting that bridging the digital divide, creating opportunities to access information, and developing knowledge-based economies is largely determined by education, information connectivity and content, as well as policy and legal/regulatory frameworks (among others).
The declaration did not mention the rights of persons with disabilities to information. As persons with disabilities belong to the most marginalized groups in developing countries, they encounter even more barriers to information than others.

Few people in middle and low-income countries own a computer, though, there is a considerable growth in the use of mobile phones: "In 2004, Africa added some 15 million new mobile phone subscribers." (The Millennium Development Goals Report 2006, page 25). As a recent study on the use of mobile phones for online banking in South Africa showed, half of the 16 million population of South Africa lacks a bank account, though, 5 million possess a mobile phone, which they might use to access the internet. Thus, with the help of mobile phones, millions of people could make use of modern communication technologies.

Further information:
www.unfoundation.org - Study
www.unfoundation.org - Press release about study

Read more:

Internet Accessibility Criteria
E-mail accessibility
Accessibility of www.cbm.org

The human right to information
What is meant by accessibility?
E-Accessibility - International Day of Persons with Disabilities