COMMUNICATIONS: Internet - Ruled by the Many, or by Special Interests?

[rodeodance]

Source: IPS



COMMUNICATIONS: Internet - Ruled by the Many, or by Special Interests?
By Mario Osava

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 12 (IPS) - The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) being held in Rio de Janeiro Monday through Thursday, with more than 1,500 people attending, is discussing issues that are not yet a concern for the majority of users, but are already having a major impact on their lives.

Key aspects of the Internet, such as infrastructure, the domain name system, access, diversity, openness and security will be debated under the overall theme of "Internet Governance for Development", by representatives from government, the private sector and civil society.


........

The second IGF is addressing the same themes as the first, but Brazil led a move to include infrastructure as well, which allows tabling the need to create international authorities to make decisions affecting all Internet users, such as issues related to domain names, which identify websites, thematic areas and countries.

The domain name system continues to be administered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), linked with the United States Department of Commerce, an arrangement which many regard as incompatible with the international character of the Internet. .......


Read more: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40024