Imagine A UN-Run Internet

Damon Dimmick writes "Small countries in the United Nations have been arguing to put the Internet under the control of the UN so that countries can more easily monitor (read: control) Internet content. It's on hold for now, but this could become a very real censorship problem, very soon. Some nations have gone so far as to suggest "monitoring boards" for internet content. Here is the link to the Financial Times article. It briefly describes the current situation. Just something to keep an eye on."

Comments

Good idea

[Karamchand]

While it's not good with all this censorship thing it certainly would be good to put a worldwide thing like the internet under international control. at the moment the usa more or less control the internet - that's not a good situation.
Even if the UN aren't what they were some decades ago they're still the only really international organisation of nations.

Re:Good idea

[the_2nd_coming]

people like you are morons.

in the UN, you have a Democratic process that allows Despots to have a vote.

that is bull shit and they do not deserve to run something like the internet which is a free speech zone.

we have an international organization for the internet already. I do not want my Free speech rights to be able to be vetoed by some small dicked dictator.

Re:Good idea

[rsborg]

The U.S. created the Internet - why should we give up control of it to foreigners who have socialist leanings?

Jeebus, why not just call it the USA-net then?

Don't get me wrong, TCP/IP and the prelimary workings of a global free network were a great achievement (and all from DARPA), but don't make the mistake that this network can't be re-done, in a better manner by emerging 3rd world countries.

Re:Good idea

[eliza_effect]

Actually, it's run by one Despotic nation: The USA. We have veto power over any proposition in the UN, or at least enough sway to make it happen ("we'll lift your trade sanctions if you vote __").

Re:Good idea

[GeneralCern]

We should totally let the UN control it! That would be a great idea! Better yet, the UN Security Council could handle it. I for one would love to see homestarrunner presented and approved by Syria, Saudi Arabia, or China! Gabe and Tycho from Penny Arcade would surely have their fingers cut off and tongues cut out for being bastardized infidel scum! Slashdot could even add a "-1 Infidel Execution" mod, or "-1 Family will be roasted in Hell! Great idea!

So we can just sit around and bitch?

[Picass0]

Would that be the UN who couldn't bring itself to condemn Iraq for human rights abuses?

Would that be the UN that couldn't be bothered to condemn the PLO suicide bombers in Israel?

The UN that Libia holds a seat on the human rights comittee?

Good plan. Give them the internet. Maybe then the far left can be bothered to get pissed at what a joke the UN has become. The first time they stomp on your first amendment rights, maybe you'll notice what a shitty record they have on everything else.

Re:US bad, US good

[arcanumas]

Ahh yes. I can see that your argument saying: In the other, we have the rest of the world: protector of political speech restriction is insightful and accurately states the conditions on the whole world.
Because as we know the World is divided in to two parts. Americans and Non-Americans.
If you open a geopolitical map you see bold letters AMERICA and colors of mountains rivers and suchs , and the rest of the world is painted grey and writes "Other".

However, i can see one extremely significant shortcoming to your argument. And that is plagiarism. It has come to my attention that the exact piece is copied without modifications from the "Handbook of Complete Lies and stupidities - American Edition"

Re:Announcing the U.S intranet

[CausticWindow]

While I admire the good intentions of your laws, it's quite clear that it's no more than pretty print.

Having free speech in theory is no good if you're not prepared to use it in practice. The US have one of the most self censoring medias in the world. It's all about giving people the news they want to hear.

"If you criticize our leadership while we're at war, you're a traitor. And we're always at war!"

UN-American

[Mc_Anthony]

I was struck with just how useless the UN is during the 15 month long run up to this war in Iraq. The UN's oil for food (or more correctly; oil for palaces program) was what got me to take a closer look. Charles Krauthammer's posts in the Washington Post were very critical and cogent as usual.

R.I.P U.N

Re:'Nightmare material'? 'Control'?

[eventhorizon5]

>but I highly doubt that a UN-controlled Internet
>administrative body would have been to stupidly
>designed that it would impose restrictions on the
>'Net just because some UN member applied pressure.

That's what the German people thought of the Nazi party before it took power - they thought it would "save" them, and that it was harmless. Yeah, they thought wrong. Also, design and restrictions don't really relate. The Roman Empire was extremely restrictive and oppressive, but was it badly designed? Many people just look for something to save them, and that's where tyrrany _always_ comes in. Something to think about.

Make up your minds

[Syberghost]

You guys can't be opposed to a UN-run Internet but want the UN running my country's foreign policy.