1. Cyberliteracy  How can we develop a new critical literacy for dealing with ICTs in our daily lives?  How can we become active participants & citizens – not just passive consumers?  Where’s the public interest?  Contains elements of both print & spoken word; ‘new media’ incorporates elements of ‘old media’

2. Elements of ‘cyberspace’  Speed  Reach  Anonymity  Interactivity

3. Canada & ‘Information Highway’ Policy  1994 – IHAC, CRTC report  Climate of deregulation, privatization, competition  Technological euphoria  Technological convergence

4. Information Policy Initiatives  Behind Closed Doors: IHAC  Composition of group industry-led  Rallying of public interest groups in response

5. IHAC Objectives  1.Creating jobs through innovation & investment  2. Reinforcing Canadian sovereignty and cultural identity  3. Ensuring universal access at reasonable cost

6. IHAC Principles  1.Interconnected & interoperable network of networks  2. Collaborative public & private sector development  3. Competition in facilities, products, services  4. Privacy protection, network security  5. Lifelong learning key design element

7. IHAC Working Groups  Access & social impact  Canadian content & culture  Competitiveness & job creation  Learning & training  Research & development  Applications & market development

8. Some dissension…  Parrot from Canadian Labour Congress issued minority report – objective to IHAC’s market- driven recommendations  Concern re labour standards w/ telework, call centers…

9. CRTC Report -  Competition & Culture on Canada’s Information Highway  Public consultation  Echoed IHAC’s recommendations

10. Public Interest Players  Coalition for Public Information  Telecommunities Canada  Alliance for a Connected Canada  Electronic Public Space Steering Group  Public Interest Advocacy Centre

11. Access debates  How to define?  Technical infrastructure  Social infrastructure  Market forces?  New types of literacy…

12. Latest…2001  Broadband Task Force  Recommends deployment of broadband in remote & rural communities….  $$$$$  Should government pay, private industry??  Lukewarm response….and now, in light of 9- 11….