The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization on Tuesday expressed concern about what it called the "rural digital divide."
"The rural digital divide is isolating almost 1 billion of the poorest people who are unable to participate in the global information society," the agency said in a statement.
The divide stems from lack of telecommunication and other infrastructure as well as a shortage of skills and financial resources, the agency said.
Ahead of the summit, rights watchdogs say, both Tunisian and foreign reporters have been harassed and beaten. Reporters Without Borders says its secretary-general, Robert Menard, has been banned from attending.
Civil groups also accused the government Tuesday of blocking access within Tunisia to a Web site devoted to a citizens' summit held in conjunction with the main U.N. event.
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