The crisis has seen companies the world over, increasing access to the internet to
A man wearing facemasks stands next to a building during government imposed shutdown as a preventative measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Dhaka on April 6, 2020 Picture: AFP/MUNIR UZ ZAMAN
The Covid-19 pandemic is underscoring that internet access is no longer a luxury, but a necessity to participate in society fully. More than half the world’s population is now online. But accessaccording to the development level of countries, the wealth and education of individuals, and gender: fewer women than men use the internet.
In some places, the ability to use a crucial source of information may be a matter of life and death right now . Millions of people are denied access. Human Rights Watch hasgovernments that have imposed internet shutdowns — such as Bangladesh and Myanmar — to lift them, warning that they could prove deadly given coronavirus’s spread.
The pandemic is a powerful reminder of the effect of the digital divide. It is building the case for treating internet access as a public utility: an essential service that needs to be properly regulated and buttressed by the state.to remove data allowance caps on broadband services, avoid cutting off people who can’t pay bills and offer generous new mobile and landline packages, with more data at low prices or free calls.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s World Wide Web Foundation has made a number of sensible recommendations, including zero-rating websites for official health organisations and other essential government services, so that they don’t draw from users’ data plans — ensuring access to the most important, and reliable, information. These are all good and positive steps. But they address a problem that has been highlighted and worsened by this crisis, not created by it.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gauteng Health seeks donations in fight against COVID-19Gauteng has 693 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Read more »
57-year-old man becomes SA's 12th Covid-19 death as cases climbSA has recorded its 12th Covid-19 death, as cases climbed to 1,686 on Monday night.
Read more »
National lockdown could be extended in one scenario – reportIn the projections of a US consultancy firm, it reports that South Africa’s Covid-19 cases may only peak by June, making it feasible that lockdown would end in August.
Read more »
SA at 1686 Covid-19 cases: Where the 31 new cases came fromThe 31 new cases that were confirmed came from five provinces - KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Gauteng, the Free State and the Eastern Cape.
Read more »
BREAKING NEWS: 31 new cases bring SA's total Covid-19 cases to 1686, 12 deathsSouth Africa now has 1686 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 12 confirmed deaths as a result of the coronavirus, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Monday.
Read more »
COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES | 'Covid-19 has proven African countries can hold their own': RamaphosaTwo patients in their 80s have died, bringing the death toll from Covid-19 to 11 in South Africa, health minister Zweli Mkhize said on Sunday night. Both patients had underlying medical conditions.
Read more »