Khilendra Basnyat

Today, power is measured in terms of economic and technological capabilities. Information technology has pervaded almost all values of life, and the reach of this powerful technology has been further revolutionised by the internet.
Simply and briefly, internet can be described as a network of computer networks. In recent years, much is heard about it, provoking discussions among those that claim ownership of some part of it.

Blockage
More than a decade ago, it was the first time that more web journalists were imprisoned than those working in any other medium. At that time, the governments of many countries, especially of China, Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Vietnam and Zimbabwe arrested several authors, blocked the internet access, set strict rules on cyber cafes and hampered authors' work.
Not only are these, authors of different countries were arrested and imprisoned for such alleged charges as inciting subversion of state power, insulting religion, threatening state security, defaming the presidents of the republics and spreading false news. It was reported that about 1,000 cases of authors were under threat with about 130 new cases each year. There was also a high rise in the number of internet authors, editors and bloggers being attacked.
The personal computer took about 16 years to reach 50 million people whereas the internet reached the same number in four years. In recent times, most countries are putting together cyber laws to facilitate commercial transaction over the internet.
In fact, internet can be an indispensable part of one's activity because through its medium one can learn different facts and figures about the world. One can chat with his/her friends and relatives residing abroad apart from commenting on their photos and articles on Facebook. One can update his/her blogs with new issues and attractive photos so that the viewers would go through the advertisements on it. It addition, when one is suffering; one gets wholly transported into another world of delight and cheerfulness.
Internet, which is considered a vehicle for freedom of expression around the world, has increased the free flow of information and has promised to intensify in the coming years. Actually, keeping the digital highway open for the millions of legitimate users is essential to freedom of expression and the free flow of information worldwide. By doing so, it will help take vigilance on standard technology innovations to safeguard the internet's open structure.
In reality, nothing can be as good as having the doctors' presence to treat the various ailments but through the internet, many health works have been able to get the specialists' advice to treat the patients in remote areas. Till now, such form of treatment is being carried out for orthopedics, dermatology and gynecology and has been found to be used in a befitting manner. However, in many countries, especially in developing and least developed countries, such treatment has not been used satisfactorily.
Though some governments' stringent rules have made it virtually difficult for the web to act as a platform for major political dissent, the internet boom in many countries has given respective countries' citizens new avenues for free information flow and self-expression. This fact has been gradually realised by many persons in recent years; and as such, the use of internet has been increasing rapidly and astonishingly day by day in most countries in recent years.
Despite the fact that the struggle between the authors and the governments over the free flow of information has escalated in the past, those supporting open frontiers for ideas and information need to be on high alert and take necessary steps to protect those silenced and to keep the internet unaffected. Apart from this, authoritarian governments should not use law enforcement needs as an excuse to shut down opposition and hamper free expression, which is one of the fundamental rights of human beings.
Though the development and growth of the internet are arguably the biggest single challenge that the telecommunication sector faced in the past, it is also its biggest opportunity. Actually, internet development depends on telecom infrastructure, computer pricing strategy, culture, politics and demographics. Due to the lack of such facilities, most people in developing and least developed countries are not able to utilize internet services still now.

Ray of hope
In recent years, a ray of hope has emerged that development in wireless communications may provide possibilities for developing and least developed countries to overcome wireless infrastructures constraints. Some internet providers in these countries have started to experiment with wireless networks, mostly through very small aperture satellite system and conventional HF radio system to deliver internet services to both urban and rural areas. These technological innovations, which provide to boost internet emerging markets, are possibly less important when placed in the wider technology context required to internet services. For this reason, strenuous efforts are essential for expanding internet services in the years to come.

(Basnyat is a freelance writer.)