Internet governance: Who should control the Net?

In a presentation Monday at USC's Annenberg School for Communication, Peng Hwa Ang, a member of the Working Group on Internet Governance that was appointed by the U.N. Secretary-General, discussed the issue of who will control the Internet.

"Internet governance is basically rules made by government, private sector and civil society concerning the Internet," said Ang, the Dean of the School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and graduate of USC's communication management program.

Because civil society is one of the stakeholders, Ang said, this means that academics can take part in the decision-making process that will help shape the Internet of the future. With this in mind, the WGIG developed a process in which all stakeholders participate on equal footing, Ang said.

Ang also stressed that the ideal framework of Internet governance should be "multilateral, transparent and democratic." In other words, it should involve countries worldwide; be open enough to let the internet community see any changes and developments; and give voice to everyone’s input.

The WGIG created several models on Internet governance with the government, the private sector and civil society playing varying roles. One model proposes a Global Internet Council with governments as members and the private sector and civil society as advisors. The Council would report to the U.N.

Another model suggests forming an International Internet Council in which governments would still play a leading role, and the private sector and civil society would play an advisory role. This time, however, the Council would not be under the U.N.

These models are just recommendations on ways to regulate the Internet. But if the WGIG’s basic formula of including governments, the private sector and civil society is part of the process, good Internet governance can be established, Ang said.