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FYI: Internet Governance

The Internet is not defined by the geographic boundaries that govern nations and laws of the non-virtual world. Without a clear jurisdictional framework for the Internet, scholars, businessmen, and laypersons have been left to decipher in a piecemeal fashion what set of laws and norms, if any, shall govern this forum.
The United Nations recognises 189 sovereign countries throughout the world, each with its own system of governance and legal framework. This leaves a vexing international question of who should exercise power over Internet activity and what standards shall be upheld.

The Old:
In 2003 and 2005, the UN held The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). During Phase 1 of WSIS, two substantive outcomes emerged as part of the governments’ agreement on a Declaration and Plan of Action. One was a “Task Force on Financial Mechanisms,” an effort to promote financing of communications infrastructures in undeveloped nations; the other was a Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG), a multi-stakeholder group that would issue a report defining Internet governance, identifying the relevant public policy issues, and discussing the roles and responsibilities of state and non-state actors in governance.
The Current (From the WSIS Web-Site):
It was agreed that this would entail a strong development orientation and that the Commission would be strengthened in its substantive capacity through the effective and meaningful participation of Member States in its work. n the resolution (2006/46) passed on 28 July 2006, entitled “Follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society and review of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development”, ECOSOC indicated how it will oversee the system-wide follow-up of the Summit outcomes, as requested in the Tunis outputs. This is in the context of the annual consideration by ECOSOC of the integrated and coordinated implementation and follow-up of major United Nations conferences. To this end, ECOSOC decided that the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) will assist the Council as the focal point in the system-wide follow-up of WSIS.
The Future (From the WSIS Web-Site):
The tenth session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) will take place in Geneva from 21-25 May 2007. In parallel, a cluster of WSIS-related events, such as Action Line Facilitation meetings, will take place from 15-25 May 2007 in Geneva. More information on these events will be on this website soon.
Commentary:
The critics of ICANN cite that it is undemocratic in its representation of world-wide Internet users. Furthermore, many comment that ICANN creates barriers to third world countries, such as Africa and Cuba, by the solely controlling the allocation of DNS.
Personally, I believe that the Internet can not be governed by a global force. First off, global economics prevents this. Actually, our understanding of the global economic forces is lacking enough substantial evidence to support a global dictation of the largest multi-national commerce force. Personally, I don’t want closed economic countries, like Cuba and China, deciding who can do what and where and at what price. Secondly, and again relying on economic theory, few people other than the US and perhaps the EU Commission have the wherewithal, the resources, and the knowledge base to support this proposed global action.
This is impacts everyone who believes in free commerce and free speech. I strongly suggest that in the upcoming year, we focus our energy on who is governing the Internet. This affects all of us, from me as the writer, to the site owner, and you as the reader.
Reference: WSIS: http://www.itu.int/wsis/follow-up/index.html
Author: Rita Harris

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