Factors Affecting Access to Electronic Informaitn and Their Implications

Abstract

Information is a key ingredient in everyday life of the individual and the society at large. Information has become increasingly more important with the emergence of information society. Information and knowledge are key resources, and generation and communication of these is the mainstay of the workforce in the emerging information society. Because of the value that information has in the day-to-day life and development of human beings, the right to information is held as a basic right of individuals in many countries. Information and knowledge exist in oral, print, and electronic forms. However, information and knowledge have little value unless they are accessed when needed in a form they are needed. If access to existing information does not take place, the potential benefits of possessing of information will be lost. In other words, the key to unleashing the benefits of information and knowledge is effective access to them. As such access to information is recognized to be an instrument to help citizens to realize their own potential; to increase their skills, knowledge and capacity; and to take part in and benefit from information society (FARN, 2001). Scientific progress also depends upon the accessibility of existing scientific knowledge upon which new knowledge is built.