DIGITAL DIVIDE
Africa Struggles To Get Online (SJM)
What Digital Divide? (CNet)
INTERNET
On Pro-Kremlin Site, All News Is Good News (WP)
Web Sites Can Help to Ease Burden of Caring for Elders (WSJ)
EMPLOYMENT
Valley Teens Lacking Interest In High-Tech Jobs, Study Says (SJM)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
AFRICA STRUGGLES TO GET ONLINE
Issue: Digital Divide
In the last few years numerous cybercafes and Internet service providers has
appeared in Africa. Web sites are used for everything from chat rooms, news
and horoscopes to updates on the activities of rebel groups fighting in
remote jungles. While it is true that the African online population is
increasing, it remains a very small proportion of the over 800 million
people on the continent. A study by research group NUA Internet Surveys
showed that of the 513 million worldwide Internet users, just four million
were in Africa with half of them in South Africa. Among the reasons for this
disparity is that electricity and the phone are not available in many parts
of the continent. Oliver Fortuin, head of IBM's PC division in South and
Central Africa said, "Africa can't leapfrog technology because it doesn't't
have the capital required to invest in the infrastructure...Africa is three
to four years behind the technology curve in terms of infrastructure, as the
startup costs are high." The African Development Bank has highlighted
information and communications technology along with water, energy and
transport as prime areas for private sector investment.
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Reuters]
(http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/2850777.htm)
WHAT DIGITAL DIVIDE?
Issue: Digital Divide
[Commentary] According to Sonia Arrison, a new report from the Department of
Commerce (DOC) should serve "as a wake-up call for those who believe the
digital divide is the civil liberties issue of the 21st century." The new
DOC report, A Nation Online, found that more than half the population of the
United States is now online, an increase of 26 million people in 13 months,
and the number continues to grow. The report also shows that Internet use is
continuing to increase for everyone regardless of income, education, age,
race, ethnicity or gender. Arrison believes that DOC report proves that even
lower income people can get wired if they see it as a priority. She said
that this should come as no "surprise given all the investment that local
community groups and technology companies have spent on promoting access
over the last couple of years." Ultimately, Arrison concludes, "those who
cannot get online in this environment have other problems that a computer
and Internet access won't fix."
[SOURCE: CNet, AUTHOR: Sonia Arrison]
(http://news.com.com/2010-1078-858537.html)
INTERNET
ON PRO-KREMLIN SITE, ALL NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
Issue: Journalism
The Russian Web site strana.ru represents the Kremlin's attempt to establish
a presence on the information highway. It is part of an overall Kremlin
media strategy - a strategy critics say is transforming parts of Russia's
once-feisty broadcast media into bland mouthpieces for the state. The
Kremlin's information war has already claimed two national independent
television stations. Strana.ru, the Kremlin's unofficial voice on the
Internet, the Web site has 500 employees as well as branches in almost all
of Russia's 89 regions. While the Web site is a private project, some would
argue only in name. Strana.ru reflects the often-blurry distinction between
public and private interests in Russia. Their goal is not to make a profit,
but to put out Putin's message on the Internet, according to Marina
Litvinovich, general director of strana.ru. "It is not a business project,"
she said. "It's a political project. The idea is to support Russian
authorities and the Russian president." Its owners - a group of businesses
whose identities have never been disclosed - are considering expanding from
the Internet to radio and television. [SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR:
Sharon LaFraniere]
(http://www.washtech.com/news/media/15615-1.html)
WEB SITES CAN HELP EASE BURDEN OF CARING FOR ELDERS
Issue: Internet
The approximately 21 million caregivers for the elderly in America are often
faced with a daunting challenge in sorting out the financial, housing and
medical options of their loved ones. While many corporations offer support
services for their employees, for those without help some Web sites offer
similar services for free. Among the services offered are expert ratings of
Web site, books, videos and referrals, expert Q&A, interactive
decision-making tools and support groups. Columnist Sue Shellenbarger
offers recommendations for the best caregiver Web sites and offers a list of
credible and informative resources.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Sue Shellenbarger]
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1014758963644969520.djm,00.html)
EMPLOYMENT
VALLEY TEENS LACKING INTEREST IN HIGH-TECH JOBS, STUDY SAYS
Issue: Employment
A 2002 workforce study by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley has revealed a gap
between the interest of Silicon Valley high school students and future
demand for high-tech talent. The workforce gap is estimated at 127,000 jobs
in 2001 and while it dropped from 2000 to 2001, researchers believe it will
increase with the rebound of the economy. The study found one-third of local
eighth-11th graders were interested in pursuing high-tech careers. Included
in its findings was that while virtually all students had access to
computers only 32% were interested in high-tech careers. There was a
pronounced gender gap with 42 percent of boys expressing an interest in
high-tech careers and 23 percent of girls. Hispanic students were less
likely than Asian, white and African-American students to be planning on
attending a four-year college and Asian students were most likely to be
interested in technology careers.
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Margaret Steen]
(http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/2847753.htm)
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