Factors inhibiting rural ICT connection |
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(i) Lack of access facilities, such as computers and connectivity in the rural areas (ii) Language barriers in using the Internet (iii) Shortage of appropriate information products in local languages. (iv) Lack of motivation to use information. The Kothmale project uses community radio as an interface between the community and the Internet through a pioneering "Radio-browse" model, thereby introducing an indirect mass access to cyberspace through a daily one-hour interactive radio program. The model is based on the following interdependent components:
vailable on the Internet. |
How does Radio Browsing model work? |
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The community radio station broadcasts a daily "Radio Browsing the Internet" program from 1900-2000 hrs. The broadcasters, supported by resource personnel, browse the Internet on-air together with their listeners, and discuss and contextualise information in local language. Thus, the radio program raises awareness about the Internet in a participatory manner. The listeners request the broadcasters to surf the Web on their behalf and the program transmits information in response to their requests. This information is explained and contextualised with the help of studio guests. For example, a local doctor may explain data on a health website.
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Radio Browse is highly effective low-cost model |
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The radio-browsing model can be highly effective with small, low cost community radio stations operated and owned by rural communities. It allows the community to reconstruct meanings from Internet information sources. Given that information becomes knowledge only when it is discussed and contextualised in the community, the radio-browsing model has many advantages over browsing the Internet individually, particularly when language becomes a barrier to understand the content.
Unfortunately, very few developing countries have provisions in their broadcasting regulations to allow and encourage independent community radio stations. |
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