Case Study 1: Bridging the Digital Divide to Improve the Quality of Education as a means to counter the Issue of Tribal Warfare in PNG

Background

Digital Divide refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communication technologies and those that do not have or only have limited access to them. In PNG, tribal warfare is prevalent. Low-quality education tends to breed youths without critical thinking, and moral reasoning. Violence is often perpetrated by them as a means of survival. 

Can bridging the digital divide to improve the quality of education for rural schools become an antidote to tribal warfare violence? The short answer is yes and no. 

Key points

• Establishment of ICT Infrastructures: Mobile ICT towers were built by telecommunications companies. But the cost is quite expensive. Lately, a fiber optic Internet cable system has been established.
• Internet Access by Urban Schools: Almost every urban school has Internet access through the ICT towers by owning a mobile phone. 
• Internet Access by Rural Schools: Many remote and rural schools don’t have Internet access. 
• Statistical Analysis of Schools’ Academic Performance: The top-ranking schools in PNG within the 2023 academic year are mostly urban schools (PNG Online School, 2023). 
• Positive Impact of Quality Education on Society: Quality education tends to become an effective deterrence to the tribal warfare phenomenon.

Way Forward 

To bridge the digital divide problem in rural schools of PNG, the establishment of satellite Internet technology through the installation of satellite dishes is affordable and climate-friendly.

Global Context

• Vietnam: While Vietnam boasts an impressive 70% national Internet penetration rate, this statistic conceals a brutal rural-urban chasm. 
• Australia: According to ACMA, in 2022, 96.9% of households in metropolitan areas had access to the National Broadband Network, compared to just 67.4% of households in rural areas. 
• Pakistan: In Pakistan, cities are well-connected, estimated at around 70-80%, enjoying high-speed Internet. However, this is not the case in many rural areas where Internet penetration can be as low as 10-20%. 
• Cambodia: According to the World Bank (2023), only 54% of Cambodians have Internet access, unveiling a significant urban-rural gap where 78% in urban areas contrast starkly with a mere 33% in rural areas. 
• Afghanistan: In Afghanistan, they access the Internet only from mountain summits because Internet access is very low or absent at all in the valleys. 

Evaluation

An essential difference in case studies is the distinction between cases as an illustrative example and cases as a means to analyze a social situation. This case study has analyzed a social situation. 

Case Study 2: The Disrupted Connection: A Comprehensive Examination of Internet Shutdowns

Background

Internet shutdowns refer to the deliberate suspension of Internet services by governments within a specific geographical area, often under various pretexts. This study aims to shed light on the prevalence, reasons, and implications of Internet shutdowns using case studies from several Asian countries.

Key Issues

Frequency and Prevalence: This highlights the alarming frequency of Internet shutdowns in the Asia Pacific region. Governments in countries such as India, Myanmar and Pakistan have resorted to this measure multiple times in recent years, affecting millions of users. This raises concerns about the freedom of information. 

Reasons for Shutdowns: This study explores the various reasons cited by governments for ordering Internet shutdowns. While some shutdowns are ostensibly done to maintain law and order during protests or political unrest, others are framed as measures to combat misinformation, hate speech, or national security threats. However, these reasons often lack transparency and accountability, leading to doubts about the true motives behind these shutdowns.

Human Rights Implications: Internet shutdowns have serious human rights implications. They impede freedom of expression, hinder access to information, disrupt economic activities, and limit the ability of citizens to communicate.

Global Context

• Rajasthan, India: In the unique case of Rajasthan, Internet shutdowns are used primarily to combat cheating during state-level competitive exams. 
• Pakistan: Pakistan uses Internet shutdowns to respond to political events, such as the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• Bangladesh: Disruptions in mobile and network services during political rallies in Dhaka and nearby areas affect Internet access. This highlights the need for telecom regulators to ensure uninterrupted mobile access during such events.
• Myanmar: Internet blackouts and social media restrictions were imposed by the Myanmar junta following the military coup in February 2021. 

Evaluation 

• Transparency and Accountability: Governments must be transparent about their reasons for ordering Internet shutdowns. Independent bodies should be involved in verifying the necessity of such measures.
• Human Rights Protection: Protecting human rights, including freedom of expression and access to information, should be paramount. 
• Economic Considerations: Governments need to weigh the economic consequences of Internet shutdowns carefully. The negative impact on businesses, and foreign investment should be considered when evaluating the necessity of a shutdown.
• Advocacy and Awareness: Civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and the tech industry should raise awareness about the detrimental effects of Internet shutdowns. 

Summary and Conclusion

In conclusion, the group explores the growing problem of digital divide in the Asia Pacific Region, with a specific focus on PNG in Case Study 1, and examines the Internet Shutdown phenomena in Case Study 2 to provide insights into the diverse challenges faced by these communities in the Asia Pacific region. Both case studies employ a comparative study approach, exhibiting the overarching themes that transcend geographical boundaries.

Written by Songo Nore and Ankita Rathi (Edited by Nattaya Jaratruangsaeng)