An equitable information society can flourish only through inclusive and informed debate, involving not merely actors from the technology arena but all actors in the development sphere, especially from the South. Current information society and 'ICTs for development' or ICTD approaches predominantly represent Northern realities and perspectives, tending to favour market-fundamentalist thinking and valorising technology per se. We attempt to de-construct the dominant approach and concepts in relation to ICTs and development and articulate alternatives, based on theoretical and empirical investigation.