Module 9: Social Justice

Activity 9-1

2. Is denial of access in computing a social justice issue? Discuss your answer.

1. Choose one of the social justice issues in computing discussed above and find out to what extend it is an issue in the Philippines. Then find out what is being done to address it in specific country.

Yes. It is a social issue in a sense that the user and server might have different selfish reasons and could be conflicting for both, like website intended only for women. Like this example: Access to computing resource is a privilege, not a right, and must be treated as such by all users. Failure to act in accordance with the guidelines and relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations may result in denial of access to computing resources.

Digital Divide is a gap between "info-rich" and "info poor" where "info rich" able to and "info poor" unable to tap opportunities presented by digital technology to achieve their economic, social and political goals cause them the lack of human capacity and access to information/knowledge. According to Renato Valencia's (Private Sector Co-chair of ITECC e-Government Committee) observation on Feb. 2004,  the digital divide exist in the Philippines and have willingness to address the problem, no specific policy, plan, legislation on digital, there is an independent initiatives of the government agencies and the need for comprehensive, unified, strategic approach to digital divide. In Malaysia, the government has already started the process of developing k-economy masterplan. The masterplan will be a coherent and comprehensive set of strategies for Malaysia and Malaysians to undertake, to enable smooth migration from the current economy to a k-economy as well as a k-society.

Animated Design of Razel Gil Patalinghug UP Open University Master in Information System IS201 Computer Ethics