The Digital Disconnect

As you go to the polls to vote this November, keep in mind that the day is fast approaching when we will be able to vote for our elected officials over the Internet. There will be no more standing in long lines, fighting traffic or possible inclement weather. There will be no more trying to figure out if you have more time to vote before going to work or on your way home from work. Easy voting for both state and federal elections may be in our near future.

The prospect of easy Internet voting may bring more people back to the ballot box. The prospect of Internet voting may also lock some citizens out of the process of selecting their representatives at the state and federal levels of government, if they do not have access to the necessary technology. Although Internet voting may sound exciting and time saving, it has raised concern for those who have not yet moved to Internet usage. If our public officials are chosen in this way, we will have to be assured that everyone still has access to an 'old fashion' voting booth, if no Internet is available to them.

Internet Polling

We may not like hearing about the opinion polls that are suppose to give us some idea of what others in our community are thinking, but they seem to be here to stay. They were once done as 'man' on the street questions. Then the pollsters moved to telephone surveys that always seem to catch us at home during our dinner time. Information gatherers are now increasingly dependent on the Internet to learn what you think about issues and which candidate is your favorite.

These polls are determining what the general public thinks about economic, social, political and cultural life in this nation. As this influence continues to grow and develop via the computer, those without access to these systems are being left behind. Those without Internet access may have less influence on decisions and trends because their views are not being seen on Internet surveys or in chat room discussions.

We can already see the change in society that has been brought about through this new technology. In just a few short years, new language has entered our vocabulary. We now hear people talking not only about E-mail, but E-trade and E-commerce as well. We are truly experiencing a digital revolution.

For many of us, once we are able to afford a computer, it is just a matter of simply picking up the telephone and signing up with an Internet service provider. Often, Internet service providers will place an icon on our computer screen for access to their service, and with a simple click of the mouse, we are on-line through a free thirty-day trial. For those with access to a computer with a modem, there are choices. One may use a free service or a paid service with a few more whistles and bells. We also have the choice of the level of security and privacy we want from a provider.

Not all of us have a choice. The digital revolution seems to be passing by many of us because we cannot afford the equipment. Further, not all of us have these choices in our homes or in our classrooms. Many are being left behind and left out. Yet, others are choosing to ignore it all and just let it go by. It is truly a mistake to ignore these developments in and access to technology.

President Clinton and other leaders have acknowledged that the access to this new technology could either level the playing field between racial and economic groups or drive a further wedge through these already disparate groups. The President said, "...new technologies can be an incredible tool of empowerment in schools, homes, businesses, community centers and every other part of civic life...if we work together to close the digital divide, technology can be the greatest equalizing force our society or any other has ever known."

Organizational Access

It is not just individuals who should ask if they are being left behind in this age of information technology. Justice organizations need to ask themselves the same questions. Are they being left out of responding to surveys that shape the opinions of public officials because they are not accessing the Web? Are socially minded organizations taking advantage of the speed and cost effectiveness that can come with Internet linking with like minded organizations and getting timely information out to constituents?

Recently, the Washington, D.C.-based Leadership Conference on Civil Rights held an all day conference addressing these questions. Those in attendance were asked about their capabilities in this area. Many justice organizations do realize that this is a growing need and are trying to get on board as quickly as possible while still serving a constituency that remains primarily dependent on paper information coming to them through the regular post, or what we now refer to as 'snail mail'. We are being pushed to harness technology in order to advance social and economic justice on behalf of the poor. Some of this push is coming from a younger constituency who have grown up with the computer and expect to get most of their information from it. This is not to say that the retired generation is not also surfing the Web. Retirees are also on the Web with E-mail to family members in distant places. The older generation is also beginning to ask for information via the Web.

Hatred and Pornography

Access to the Internet as an equalizer, gives access to all. It is in this light that we must also recognize the downside to this vast pool of electronic information. The 'good guys and gals' have not moved quickly into the world of cyberspace, the 'bad guys and gals' have. One can find plenty of politically incorrect information on web sites on the Internet. Parents, grandparents and teachers are being urged to watch young children and teenagers very carefully, as they use this technology. It is important to understand the Web if for no other reason than to know what your children are looking at and to what they may be exposed. Access to hate groups, pornography and bomb building instructions are readily available. Children may even be vulnerable to child abusers, who often look for children in chat rooms, even in those places that the young people may have entered innocently. Your community may carefully scrutinize adult rated movies and reading materials so that it does not get into the hands of children, but this often distasteful information may still come into your community through the Web. This is the case no matter what size your community is--big or small, rich or poor--access to illicit materials is readily available on the Web. We need to find a way to protect our children from these sites while at the same time we defend the Constitutional First Amendment right of free speech for the adults who produce and use them. As way of protection, Internet providers are requesting that parents monitor their children's use of the Web and Internet services. This is a good idea. Work with your children on homework and projects by using the Internet together.

It is clear that organizations with whom we would disagree have moved more quickly into this information age. It has been stated that the first sites to really develop were those that deal in pornography. We all know that information is power. Today, the ability to pass information quickly is more important then it has ever been.

Digital and Cable TV

Another area of concern is access to cable television news shows. Tobe an informed voter these days we not only have to keep up with the local and national newspapers, but we also have to monitor some of the news talk shows. Some of these shows are on the free stations, but many are on the cable networks. These shows, as well as talk radio, shape the thinking of many among us.

If you can not afford cable or digital TV, you may be shut out from viewing many of the shows that heavily mold public opinion. If the free television stations in your area choose not to show election debates and you do not have access to paid television, then you may be excluded from a very important part of the political process. Even if you have paid viewing in your home, your cable television provider may not carry adequate twenty four hour news stations for customers. This is a control of information by your service provider.

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and other justice groups, have alerted us to the fact that we need to be at the tables where decisions are being made about the policies regarding cable stations in our areas. Because the industry is still in its infancy, there is still time to participate in the policy discussions in your communities where issues of access, tone and style of communications are being developed. We need to ask if all neighborhoods are being serviced. Are there adequate channels for educational children's programming? Do all schools and not just those in the higher income neighborhoods, have access to Cable and the Internet? Does the library near your home provide access to the Internet for public research? Do libraries with Internet access provide restricted access to young people who may be tempted to visit sites where negative material can be found? These and other questions are important to us all.

These discussions have really just begun as the information technology age continues to develop. It is just one more place for those of us to raise questions of justice, and to have a voice. Congress will be asked to address more of these questions as time goes on. We need to be prepared to respond.

By the time you read this, Congress will probably have completed its business in Washington and individuals will have hit the election trail. When they return to Washington in January, new bills will be introduced. Some of them may have to do with Internet usage and service. Others may address Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concerns about television and radio service and access.

What can you do? Get Online

If you do not have a computer with online service, you may want to get one. Discount outlet stores have generic brands for around $500.00 You can also check your local second-hand stores such as the Salvation Army or Good Will. These may be priced as low at $100.00. Take someone with you who knows something about computers and remember that not all computers are capable of using the Internet. You need to either purchase a computer with a modem, or buy an external modem.

You will have to decide if you want free Internet Access or to join a paid service. Some people use their telephone service provider for Internet services. You will also have to decide if you want a separate telephone line for your computer or [share your existing telephone line with Internet use] switch back and forth with your regular service. An additional basic line could be another $10.00 per minute

Get Training

One can alleviate any fears or apprehension about using new technology by taking classes or attending training sessions. If you need training, your church may sponsor such courses. Local community colleges also offer courses for a low fee.

Monitor Your Local Service

Check to see if all communities in your town have access to the telephone service necessary to get on the Web. Do your local schools have some computers with Internet access? Do your local libraries have Internet service for public users?

Join a Washington Office List Serve

Once you are connected to the World Wide Web, join a Washington Office List serve. The office will be moving more toward online servicing of our constituents and the greater church. We will continue to send out Action Alerts in the paper format for those who do not have access to the web site. Visit our Web site at www.pcusa.org/pcusa/nmd/wo to join a List serve.

This is a different kind of ACTION page then you are used to, but it is our way of trying to respond to the challenges outlined in the content section of this paper as we become more proficient with this new technology. If you have questions, call us at 202-543-1126 or if you are already on the Web, E-mail me at eivory@ctr.pcusa.org

We thank you for your support and patience.