A Human Right to Participate in the Information Society (The Hampton Press Communication Series)

With the emergence and development of information and communications technologies, the arrival of the Information Age has been proclaimed as a distinct new epoch to match the Agricultural and Industrial Ages in significance. To reflect this new development we are now said to live in an Information Society and communication resources will be easily accessible, and fundamental improvements in living standards will take place. However, fears as to whether existing inequalities in soicety may in fact be increasing have emerged, with conintued concerns over a societal digital divide prominent. In recognizing the potential importance for humanity of the changes taking place this book considers whether it is time for a new human right to be finally recognized that would help achieve meaningful participation in this new society and help in the creation of a more inclusive society, where all can benefit from the new technologies.