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

Bibliographic Data

ID4525282
AuthorsToks Oyedemi (0000-0001-7060-203X, University of Limpopo, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume19
Issue3-4
Pages450-464
Publication date2015-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCitizenship Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1362-1025 • E-ISSN: 1469-3593
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13621025.2014.970441
OpenAlexW1984931531
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited16

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

Citizenship · Ideology · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Rhetoric · Sociology · The Internet · E-Government and Public Services · ICT Impact and Policies · Law · Public Administration · Social Media and Politics

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