De la fracture numérique en Afrique à la fracture statistique.

This article criticizes the tendencies to measure the progress towards the information society by the use of quantitative and statistical indicators elaborated by neo-liberal international organizations based mainly on criteria of computers and telecommunications equipments. In order to determine the extent of the digital divide of the new range of indicators such as the Digital Access Index (DAI) of the International Union of Telecommunications (IUT) as to apply to the arrangements of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS Geneva, 2003), or like those of the World Bank's Network Readiness of Economies in which telematic equipments are made as a reference. Even though it seems true that the connexion criteria are necessary, they are certainly not a sufficient condition to implement the Information Society. Our approach is to reject this unified conceptualization of the Information Society and decline the standard measures of the digital gap. Because they are noticeably technical and market oriented, the comparative measures such as DAI of the IUT dissimilate the terms of the Information Society as defined by the declaration of principles and the action plan of the WSIS. The image of this society that should be culturally influential via the libraries and museums as to their international commitments is dulled by the domination of cables and electronic chips. A miserable portrait of African countries is drawn by the IUT's index in which the two thirds lay at the bottom of the table. Based on objective matters that consider the value of informational culture and literacy we propose alternatively indicators focus on the frequent use of libraries in order to estimate the preparation to the Information Society, the "e-readiness". Taking into account the indicators of behaviour and cultural practices allows the description of the Information Society in a more rational way. If we consider criteria of reading, and informational culture , Africa would reveal a better image of a culturally rich and promising continent. Through the divergence of the two ideological and methodological views we will try to show the close liaison between the digital divide and the "statistical gap " as established by the international neo-liberalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]