Shocking headlines emerged in 2013 when households across the UK proclaimed broadband access to be more important to them than water. For some it was regarded as an absurd statement, but new research from the University of Birmingham argues that free internet access should be regarded as a fundamental human right.
“Internet access is no luxury, but instead a moral human right and everyone should have unmonitored and uncensored access to this global medium—provided free of charge for those unable to afford it,” the authors argue. “Without such access, many people lack a meaningful way to influence and hold accountable supranational rule-makers and institutions. These individuals simply don’t have a say in the making of the rules they must obey and which shape their life chances.”
Access to free speech
They suggest that the ability to exercise free speech and obtain the kind of information that’s vital to successfully functioning in modern society is often dependent upon having internet access. Therefore, web access is vital to the protection of basic human rights.
While, of course, there is no guarantee that internet access provides these fundamental rights, they do nonetheless facilitate the kind of access that is increasingly important for what the researchers refer to as a ‘minimally decent life’.
The paper cites a number of examples of where this universal access has been enshrined in law, including the Indian state of Kerala and the European Union’s WiFi4EU project, which aims to provide free wireless internet in every village and city in Europe by 2020.
A considerable challenge
It’s a significant challenge however, with the global population set to reach 7 billion, many of whom live in poor parts of the world where more traditional necessities such as food and shelter are by no means certain.
There has been a slowdown in the rollout of universal access in recent years, which the researchers believe provide us with a timely reminder that this is a mission that needs ongoing support.
“Universal internet access need not cost the earth—accessing politically important opportunities such as blogging, obtaining information, joining virtual groups, or sending and receiving emails does not require the latest information technology,” they say. “Web-capable phones allow people to access these services and public internet provision, such as public libraries, can help get people online where individual domestic access is initially too expensive.”
We have already enshrined in law the global right to health, despite the evident challenges in providing high quality care to the entire world. The challenges faced in providing widespread internet access should be surmountable therefore.
