Internet access as citizen's right? Citizenship in the digital age

Abstract

Discourses about Internet and rights generate ideological, economic, and policy debates that bring to prominence the question of citizenship in today's digital age. But what does Internet access as a citizen's right imply? What are the pragmatic meanings of the intersection of citizenship, rights, and technology access? Specifically, what does citizens' right to technology mean for African states? This paper examines citizenship, rights, and Internet in South Africa, and attempts to move the discourse beyond philosophical rhetoric to practical policy interpretations. To do this, the study examines interpretations and reactions of policy-makers to the idea of Internet access as a citizen's right, and through a survey explores the views of many youth on this subject. Findings reveal strong opinions about rights and technology access in South Africa. For policy-makers, the reality of the socioeconomic challenges of Africa humbles an egalitarian aspiration of rights and Internet access.

Keywords::

• Internet access
• citizenship
• citizen rights
• South Africa

Notes

^1. In South African demographical and census data, the black population has been described as ‘Black’ and ‘Black African,’ and currently the term ‘African’ is used in government policy documents and by Statistics South Africa – the national statistical service agency. The term ‘African’ is used here in line with the current national official usage to describe ‘Black’ South Africans. Undoubtedly, describing one population group as African in a multi-racial and multi-cultural African country like South Africa may instigate criticism and debate, and rightly so.

^2. In South Africa, ‘coloreds’ generally designates people of racially mixed parentage or descent.