Internet Governance and Regulation
Much like open-source software, the Internet can be considered a collection of servers, pipes, and users spread all over the world. How does it keep working? One easy answer is that the United States (through actors public and private) just sort of gets its way. This isn't really a satisfying answer descriptively or normatively, though. With the rest of the world contributing more and more to the Internet as a whole, is it time for a change?
Guests: Susan Crawford?
Some questions:
- What are the options for internet governance? An ad-hoc system, or something more formalized? What should the regulations cover - everything or only the vital areas, such as cybercrime and technical standards? Should it be local or international in scope? --AMehra 19:18, 7 December 2008 (UTC)
International Regulation
- The UN's World Summit On the Information Society has come up with the Internet Governance Forum to help tackle some of these issues - is this a good idea?
- Possible reading: The Path Towards Centralization of Internet Governance Under the UN - a series of three essays recently published on the Berkman Center's Publius Project.
- Possible speakers: staff members of the IGF? --AMehra 18:52, 6 December 2008 (EST)
Local/national Regulation
- Efforts by the FCC - in conjunction with and separate from the UN efforts.
- Possible speakers: Kevin Martin --AMehra 19:18, 7 December 2008 (UTC)
Rights of Minors
Minors have long been recognized to not have free speech rights that are co-extensive with adults. But with the Internet, how do we define those rights? And what, if any, regulation should the government enact to protect minors on the Internet, while also respecting their rights?
There are two traditional categories where minors' free speech rights have been restricted. The first is with respect to pornography, the second with respect to the school environment. These two areas raise different concerns.