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These reports, written by volunteers, summarise information for people not able to attend the sessions. Their comprehensiveness and accuracy are not guaranteed. For more information, please contact the presenters directly. Their e-mail addresses are available at http://www.isoc.org/inet98/program.shtml

Track 5: Globalisation and regional implications

Session: Globalisation and Internet governance

By Julian Albert Kilker, Wed 22 July 1998

This session provided several perspectives on the notion of governance.

Kenneth Cukier of Communications Week noted that Internet governance currently under represents the under-developed world. He argued that there must be a power shift in governance, with improved regional representation, and that such representation needs to be built into the policy-making processes. We need "Internet Diplomats" willing to support more equitable policy-making.

Milton Mueller expressed concern about Internet governance. In using it to solve problems, we run the risk of ending up with a "regulatory agenda hostile to internetworking." The history of radio broadcasting regulation (at least in the United States) suggests that regulation easily goes far beyond its original needs. Mueller argued that regulation tends to favour the powerful. He concluded that the Internet Society should de-emphasise governance; rather, we should stay with a focus on internetworking.

Robert Shaw, speaking in a personal capacity and not representing the ITU, briefly described his involvement in the gTLD process, and how the ITU was the focus of attacks from many sides. We need to be realistic, he insisted, the results of current efforts at governance are ambiguous, and will not stand the test of application. In addition, self-regulation is not sufficient; we need checks and balances.

Questions from the audience appeared to generally support the speakers.

One person felt that there were no recent arguments about governance, another suggested that we examine the "principles" that guided past developments of the net for suggestions for future governance. Shaw had the final word: "We all have to live together".