What Is Internet Governance and Why Is The Issue Being Left to the UN?
Paragraph 50 of the World Summit on Information Society's "Draft Declaration of Principles" calls on the Secretary-General of the United Nations "to set up a working group on Internet governance...to investigate and make proposals for action, as appropriate, on the governance of Internet by 2005." On one hand, the action can be seen as simply sidetracking the question of a UN role in managing the internet through two years (minimum) of study. On the other hand, the paragraph could be taken as legitimizing a role for the UN in governing the internet. However, regardless of exactly how the paragraph is interpreted, one point is clear, the United Nations will take a leading role over the next two years in redefining what is meant by the term "internet governance." Acceptance of a UN role in defining internet governance is particularly significant since much of the term is already effectively defined by the ICANN's Memorandum of Understanding and contract with the Department of Commerce. The US government has made clear that it opposes UN control of the internet. However, unless the US government takes clear steps to maintain its commitment to the currently accepted definition of internet governance through transparent, accountable mechanisms, there is a growing danger that UN institutions could eventually evolve to fill the vacuum.