Broadband News
Internet access should be a ‘fundamental right’
Monday, 08 March 2010
By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
Almost 80% of adults believe that internet access is their fundamental right, according to a new BBC Worldwide survey conducted across 26 countries.
The poll of more than 27,000 adults found that 87% of internet users felt that access to the world wide web should be “the fundamental right of all people”, while more than seven in ten non-internet users also felt that they should have the right to access the web.
Some countries, including Finland and Estonia, have already ruled that internet access is a human right for their citizens. However, this research comes as the UK government tries to push through its controversial Digital Economy Bill that simultaneously aims to deliver universal broadband by 2012, and cut illegal downloaders from the net.
Respondents cited the positive aspects of being online, such as the wealth of information that’s available on the internet, the freedom it brings and the benefits of social networking. However, they did express concerns about expressing their views on the internet and online fraud.
Doug Miller, chairman of GlobeScan, which conducted the research on behalf of the BBC World Service, said: “Despite worries about privacy and fraud, people around the world see access to the internet as their fundamental right. They think the web is a force for good, and most don’t want governments to regulate it.”
Nearly four out of five people said they felt the internet had brought them greater freedom, 90% said they thought it was a good place to learn, and just over half said they now enjoyed social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace.
Online fraud posed the biggest threat, with 32% saying it was what worried them most, followed by violent and explicit content, which was mentioned by 27% of people and threats to privacy on 20%.
Michael Phillips, Broadbandchoices.co.uk product director, said: “The internet offers a host of benefits. As well as keeping you connected with friends and family around the world using social networking sites, you can also make free internet telephone and even video calls using services like Skype.
“The internet can also save you money,” he added. “You can find great money-saving deals online, shop for cheaper goods and even cut the cost of your household bills. If you're already online, switching broadband provider can even save you around £135 on your broadband bills,” concluded Phillips.
Comments
The only right I can see with internet access is that politicians should not be able to deny anyone access to the internet. Actually accessing the internet, be it through dial up, broadband or cable, is the responsibility of the individual who must bear the costs. The old old story - you want it, you pay for it. - Mar 10 2010 8:41PM
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