[Chapter-delegates] ISOC's position on US control of the Internet

[Evan Leibovitch]

I found this article intriguing:
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/197786-tech-fears-shadow-campaign-for-global-control-of-internet

It indicates a backlash in US political circles against the globalisation
of Internet Governance, pointing to the participation of ICANN in the
Montivideo Declaration calling for a more global approach to Internet
oversight as a Bad Thing:

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), who represents Silicon Valley, declined to
> comment specifically on Chehade’s plans, but said the U.S. should retain
> leadership over how the Internet is managed.
> The U.S. “gave birth” to the Internet, Eshoo said, and countries “with a
> different view” should not be allowed to regulate it.


I think this is a good opportunity for ISOC to show leadership on behalf of
end-users everywhere, to indicate that the article's headline of "tech
fears" are incorrect and misleading, and that even US tech leaders
(hopefully including our friends in the IETF) see value in global inclusion.

I am sorry if it appears that I over-reacted to the "Day We Fight Back"
campaign as indicating too much of a focus on US affairs. I am minded of
conversations I recently had with various people within ICANN upon ISOC's
appointment of Kathy. Without knowing a thing about her, these people were
dismissive on ISOC hiring "a US telecom industry insider" for its
leadership.

While the comments were shallow, incorrect and non-productive, they did
touch a raw nerve. I think ISOC, more than ever, must consciously act more
globally than it has done before. As the article above indicates, challenge
to the MSM is coming even from within the US, the model's "champion" at the
WCIT.

The chapter infrastructure of ISOC makes us uniquely positioned to provide
the necessary advocacy and defence of multi-stakeholderism in the public
interest. And I hope that both HQ and other chapters are as eager as I am
to take advantage of this infrastructure to prove the strength and value of
global inclusiveness at the local level, while ISOC HQ does it globally. I
look forward to the changes ahead as our new CEO makes her mark on the
organization.

-- 
Evan Leibovitch
Toronto Canada

Em: evan at telly dot org
Sk: evanleibovitch
Tw: el56
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