The role of intermediaries in information sharing between government and communities in Western Cape
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to share information is rapidly
increasing worldwide. The South African government uses ICT to extend sharing of information
and provide services to communities through websites, portals, forums and other online platforms.
However, there are still digitally divided communities – without access it these ICTs due to, among
others, a lack of necessary computer skills and financial resources. Consequently, these
communities miss opportunities to use ICTs to share information with the government. To address
the digitally divided communities, the government established an initiative to build community
ICT access centres (e-centres).
These e-centres have become the intermediaries between government and communities as shared
community facilities that provide access to ICTs and connect the digitally divided communities to
government services with social and economic benefits. However, there seem to be disparities
between the government's roles and the eventual roles played by intermediaries in information
sharing between communities and the government. The disparity might lead to intermediaries not
providing services expected by communities, which might affect how communities use
intermediaries to communicate with the government.
Description
Masters of Commerce
Keywords
Government, Intermediary, Role, Communities, Information sharing