Journal #10: Point/Counterpoint - Is Internet Access a Basic Human Right? (NETS-T IV,V)

Bernasconi and Maxlow. (2010, March/April). Point/counterpoint - is internet access a basic human right?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100304#pg8

Summary:  Learning and Leading with Technology poses a very interesting question about Internet Access—Is it a basic human right? In 2009, France declared access to the Internet to be a fundamental human right. And today, educators and others in the U.S. are wondering if the right to a free public education shouldn’t be extended to Internet access. Two opposing opinions were given in the article. Natalie Bernasconi says, “yes” and quotes Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to substantiate her stance: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” Bernasconi points out that recent change in our society’s democratic process with Barack Obama’s grassroots effort to mobilize voters using the internet. For our nation next generation to achieve its potential human capacity access to the internet is essential.

James Maxlow, opposes this view and states that internet access is not a basic human right because access to the internet can aid in obtaining the basic human rights but it is just one of many tools available to do so. Maxlow argues that basic human rights are not invented as new technologies surface.

Q1. Why does society have to be concerned about this either way?

A1. By stating yes, society will create laws and policies based on the basic human right to access the internet. As in education, schools were set up to ensure teaching of children the democratic process of our society. Thomas Jeffereson believed the future and success of our country are coupled to having an educated populous. As with education, the analogous will happen with internet access. If not a basic human right, access to the internet will remain a tool available to everyone but no structure or policy will be put in place to ensuring access.

Q2. Society has many tools it uses to ensure its survival without claiming to be a basic human right. Why is the internet different?

A2. In further discussion about the topic, educators such as Robert McLaughlin writes, the internet is important because ‘…so many facets of life in developed societies and, increasingly developing nations, are heavily reliant on connectivity.” Donna Murdoch argues that, “Broadband [tools such as the internet] is to this country today what indoor plumbing and electric lights were not long ago. It can be an equalizer between town and country and provide opportunities in education to rural and homebound people that they would otherwise not have. It levels the playing field for businesses.” If it is that powerful a tool, shouldn’t everyone have the right to have access to the internet? Society must decide if the internet is a basic human right and ask ourselves if it is not then will we put our country and future generations at a severe global disadvantage?