Marginalization of indigenous voices in the information age: a case study of cell phones in the rural Congo

Sylvain K. Cibangu

Information Technology for Development, 2020, vol. 26, issue 2, 234-267

Abstract: While awareness about the study and empowerment of indigenous, marginalized groups has been brought to light since the 1960s with postcolonial movements, research into marginalization and individuals thereof has been left to arcane, outdated disciplines; and thus, has yet to take root in the wider scientific community and industry. Indeed, with upgraded wearables on the rise, most information and communication technologies [ICTs] research describes marginalization as a lack of access to technology, leaving aside the marginalized and their lives. For example, while cell phones are becoming the most ubiquitous devices of our times, they need masts and their guards in order to best function. Using capability approach, this study conducted open-ended interviews with 16 mast guards in the rural Congo to inquire into their lived experiences about ways in which cell phones generated development. The paper proposed the working, living conditions of concerned individuals as a research lens.

Date: 2020
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/02681102.2019.1647403 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:titdxx:v:26:y:2020:i:2:p:234-267

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/titd20

DOI: 10.1080/02681102.2019.1647403

Access Statistics for this article

Information Technology for Development is currently edited by Sajda Qureshi

More articles in Information Technology for Development from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().