Click Here & Upgrade PDF Complete Expanded Features Unlimited Pages Documents deployment of ICTs in the education system. 6.3 PROMOTING PUBLIC ACCESS, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL HERITAGE Access to information forms the basis for creating an information society. Therefore, the availability of public access points, ICT tools, content and services are as important as the information itself in the deployment and exploitation of ICTs to support rural development, community based initiatives and projects in Zambia s developmental effort. The Government appreciates the development of the media and the promotion of local content development as well as enhancing, and safeguarding Zambia s cultural heritage through the use of ICTs. Therefore, efforts shall be directed at promoting the use of ICTs in rural, urban and underserved communities and ensuring that the net effect of the developmental gains resulting from ICTs does have a widespread impact at all levels in both rural and urban areas. 6.3.1 POLICY GOAL To promote widespread public access to information through appropriate traditional and new technology solutions based on relevant local content while promoting cultural heritage. 6.3.2 COMMITMENTS in order to reach out and benefit the majority of the Zambian population and improve the penetration of ICTs within society, the Government shall: (a) Develop universal access/service goals and strategies for rural telecommunications, radio and TV transmission infrastructure and service rollout; (b) Implement special incentives to facilitate the development and intensive use of traditional media such as the local newsprint, community radio and TV as part of the strategies to promote new technologies as well as information access/dissemination across the country; (c) Transform all Postal Offices, Public and Community libraries as public access points for E-Commerce, E-Government and Internet based services with the support of the private sector and civil society; (d) Require all telephone (fixed and wireless) service providers to charge any call destined to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) data device that acts as a Gateway to the Internet at a reduced flat rate or local call charge irrespective of the location and ISP used, whichever is the lowest, as a 29

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