Report: 79% Consider 'Net Access a 'Fundamental Right'

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 8, 2010 - 9:30am.

London - Four in five adults polled said they believe Internet access should be considered a "fundamental right," according to the findings of a survey of 27,000 adults in 26 countries conducted by GlobeScan for the BBC World Service. The survey found 78% said the Internet has brought them greater freedom; nine in ten also called the Internet a good place to learn.

More than half said they believe the "Internet should never be regulated by any level of government anywhere," although only 16% of respondents in China agreed with this belief.

"Despite worries about privacy and fraud, people around the world see access to the Internet as their fundamental right," said GlobeScan chairman Doug Miller.

"They think the Web is a force for good, and most don't want governments to regulate it."