DIGITAL DIVIDE
Critics Attack Cuts On Programs To Narrow Digital Divide (SJM)
High Tech Still A Low Priority (LA)
FCC
FCC Chief Powell Takes Hands-Off Approach (USA)
E-GOVERNMENT
Online Voting Fraud Warning (BBC)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
'DIGITAL DIVIDE' REPORT CRITICIZED
Issue: Digital Divide
As the Bush administration announced cuts to programs designed to narrow the
gap between technology haves and have-nots, a federal report showed the
"digital divide" widening. The Commerce Department report emphasizes that
in poor and rural areas, the rate of usage is growing faster than in rich
and urban areas. "That just means they're starting from a position that's so
far back that any percentage looks impressive,'' said Tony Wilhelm of the
Benton Foundation. "They're telling Americans the problem has been solved,
and even by the plain statistics it shows the problem isn't solved," said
Larry Irving, who wrote previous editions of the report for the Clinton
administration. "It's like putting lipstick on a pig, and saying it's no
longer a pig." Bush's 2003 budget wipes out the Technology Opportunities
Program, a Commerce department initiative responsible for creating
self-sustaining technology projects, such as placing computers and Internet
access in inner cities. The Bush administration on Tuesday defended cuts to
programs designed to narrow the gap between technology haves and have-nots,
even as a federal report showed the ``digital divide'' widening. The
Commerce Department report emphasizes that in poor and rural areas, the rate
of usage is growing faster than in rich and urban areas. "Killing the TOP
program is akin to punishing success," said Greg Rohde, a former Commerce
official under President Clinton. "One of the reasons we're seeing growth
and opportunity among minorities ... is because of programs like TOP that
have gotten us to that point."
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2002/02/06/digital-divide.htm)
HIGH TECH STILL A LOW PRIORITY
Issue: Digital Divide
While many large corporations and federal and local governments are
aggressively using the Web to conduct transactions and advertise procurement
opportunities, studies show that minority-owned and small businesses are not
investing in technology at the same rate as nonminority firms. A study
conducted by Merrill Research for Microsoft found that although 85% of
African American small-business owners surveyed used the Internet regularly,
less than 2% planned to use the Internet as an integral business tool, such
as for e-commerce transactions or data management. Among Latinos surveyed,
6% said they expect to use the Internet for business, compared with 35%
among whites.
[SOURCE: LA Times, AUTHOR: Karen Robinson-Jacobs]
(http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-000009007feb05.story?coll=la%2Dheadlin
es%2Dtechnology)
FCC
FCC CHIEF POWELL TAKES HANDS-OFF APPROACH
Issue: FCC
"My religion is the market,'' Michael Powell, chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, recently told USAToday. His free-market ethos was
expected to spawn a dramatic relaxation of rules on telecommunications,
broadcast and cable giants. But even some supporters, who hope such changes
would kick-start the slow economy, say Powell has been slow to implement his
deregulatory vision. Critics worry his approach will douse competition and
all but ignore poor and minority citizens. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., chairman
of the Senate Commerce Committee, says Powell, though ''honest'' and
''capable,'' is ''miscast as chairman of a regulatory body. He acts as if
he's a cheerleader for a corporation or chamber of commerce.'' Powell also
has been criticized for not making more mention of communications services
for the poor. ''I wish Michael's passion for telecommunications was mixed
with compassion for regular people,'' says friend Larry Irving, a former
assistant secretary of Commerce.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Paul Davidson]
(http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20020206/3831754s.htm)
E-GOVERNMENT
ONLINE VOTING FRAUD WARNING
Issue: E-Government
According to a report prepared for Britain's Electoral Reform Society,
online voting needs be tested more thoroughly before being rolled out
nation-wide elections. The report, entitled "Elections in the 21st century:
from paper ballot to e-voting", was published on Tuesday. Commons Leader
Robin Cook has said he wants the UK to become the first country in the world
to use the Internet for voting, perhaps as soon as the next general
election. Dr Coleman said public confidence in the electoral process had to
be top of the agenda in examining new voting methods. Opponents of online
voting argue it is too easily exploited by electoral fraudsters and also
discriminates against who are not computer literate or who cannot access the
Internet.
[SOURCE: BBC]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1799000/1799883.stm)
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