US Lawmakers Back Bush Stance On Internet Control

by Glen Shapiro, LawAndTax-News.com, New York

25 October 2005

Three US lawmakers on Friday put forward a resolution supporting the Bush administration's stated intention to ensure that control of the internet remains in US hands.

Earlier this month, the European Union squared up to the United States over internet governance, arguing that the private sector and national governments worldwide must share in the responsibility of overseeing the web. The Associated Press quoted EU spokesman, Martin Selmayr as explaining that cooperation is necessary "because the internet is a global resource".

However, at the meeting of the United Nations held in Geneva, the US authorities rejected calls for the role of regulator to be handed over to a UN body, stressing that the United States intends to retain control of the internet's master directories.

In a statement explaining the reasoning behind last week's resolution, Rep. John Doolittle (R-California) announced that:

"Turning the internet over to countries with problematic human-rights records, muted free speech laws, and questionable taxation practices will prevent the internet from remaining the thriving medium it has become today."

The resolution put forward by Rep. Doolittle was co-sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Virginia).

Last Tuesday, Goodlatte, who co-chairs the Congressional Internet Caucus, met with EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and raised strong concerns about the EU’s endorsement of UN efforts to take control over the administration of the internet.

“Until recently, the EU had not endorsed such proposals, and it is appalling that the EU would move in this direction. The EU should realize that the United States protects the Internet through freedom. The U.S. is uniquely positioned in the world to protect the fundamental principles of free press and free speech, upon which the Internet has thrived,” he argued, continuing:

“The U.S. Constitution guarantees these basic rights and to turn more control of the Internet over to countries that have questionable records at best regarding these rights would not ensure the Internet’s continued success.”

“The more governments that become involved in this process, the more red tape and overly burdensome regulations that huge bureaucratic agencies bring will increase. By keeping the private sector and market principles involved in the administration of the Internet, we can help ensure that the Internet continues to thrive."

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