Internet access: a new human right

Internet access has become a basic and important necessity, even to the extend that the United Nations are currently pushing countries to consider it a human right. The UN started calling for universal access to important and basic information and communication services at the assembly of its Administrative Committee on Coordination early in the 21st century, following up in 2003 when addressing delegates of the World Summit on Information Society. France, Estonia and Greece were among the first to react, enacting and enforcing laws that make Internet access as a human right. Observers, analysts and advocates are waiting for more countries follow suit.

Every day many millions of people log in to the services offered across the Internet. Online shopping is very popular: clothes, collectors’ items, foods, gadgets, appliances, furniture, jewels… just about anything can be obtained via the web. Specialized sites sell concert, movie, plane and even ferry tickets. Banking transactions like depositing and transferring of funds are increasingly being done online. Movies, videos, news streams, and amateur clips can be downloaded through the internet. Computer applications and software are sold, sent, and downloaded online. Booking and reservations for accommodations in other cities and countries are conveniently done via the net.

Indeed, convenience is a keyword regarding internet access. Goods and, even more important, information are available from home – translating into big savings in time, effort and money. If Internet access is successfully made a human right, more people will enjoy and use it for their own educational, material and other benefits. Technologically it’s no problem at all: internet access, even via broadband, is becoming increasingly available all over the world. It’s only politicians that can, and often do, stop it. That’s why it should become a human right.

Tagged with: Accessing the internet • Broadband • For dummies • Online shopping

Filed under: Accessing the internet

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