Eh, that pesky freedom thing keeps coming up over and over.

The United Nations is considering whether to set up an inter-governmental working group to harmonise global efforts by policy makers to regulate the internet.

Establishment of such a group has the backing of several countries, spearheaded by Brazil.

At a meeting in New York on Wednesday, representatives from Brazil called for an international body made up of Government representatives that would to attempt to create global standards for policing the internet – specifically in reaction to challenges such as WikiLeaks.

The Brazilian delegate stressed, however, that this should not be seen as a call for an “takeover” of the internet.

“My concern is that if we were to make a move to form a governmental-only body then that would send a very strong signal to civil society that their valuable contribution was not required or was not being looked for,” an un-named Australian representative told the meeting.

Sorry, buddy. We already got that signal a loooong time ago.




  1. JimD says:

    Yeah, we’re the Government – here it “Help” you !!!

  2. bobbo, how do you know what you know and how do you change your mind says:

    I don’t understand what that headline comment from the Aussie even means? You do? Could you explain it?

    The government, OUR/(THE USA!) already “controls” the internet–as I understand it and could be completely wrong. The tradition that spawned the internet and WWW was academic freedom and openness. Our own gov is looking at various restrictions and so forth.

    Sad thing is that we no longer stand for the same freedom that we only preach to other countries. Thats the corruption of power the guardian against which is “eternal vigilance.”

    USA should keep control of the internet, and keep it open, and keep it un-tiered. No world body can be trusted to do that, not even the USA can be trusted to do that.

    People hate Freedom: other people doing what you don’t like.

  3. spsffan says:

    Brazil….where the nuts come from.

  4. Lou says:

    If It’s not broke, don’t fix it.

  5. Sparky_One says:

    The UN was never really effective and won’t be here either. They have overstayed their welcome in the US and need to find a new home and sponsor.

  6. Improbus says:

    Let’s outsource the U.N. to Bangalore. I am sure someone could put that New York real estate to better use.

  7. RSweeney says:

    Yes, let’s have the 3rd world kleptocrats run everything.

    I mean, look at the fabulous job they have done with their own nations.

  8. dexton7 says:

    “harmonise global efforts by policy makers to regulate the internet.”

    In other words… “We the global government don’t like slaves having free speech anywhere.”

    Sysops of the world unite for freedom!

    Also agree with #4…

    #2 –> “…keep it open, and keep it un-tiered. No world body can be trusted to do that, not even the USA can be trusted to do that.”
    >Absolutely.

  9. Mextli says:

    I think we will see more efforts like this in the future. Things like the Assange flap will only give proponents of Internet control more ammo.

  10. Lou says:

    It will be a sad day for freedom if this happens.

  11. Namxas says:

    Can’t wait for the Darknet to really become more stable and widespread.

  12. Glenn E. says:

    Ha! Regulate read censor. 99.9% of the world population has little or no problem with what shows up on the internet. Aside from the fanatical moralists who object to all forms of porn, because it makes sexual release easier than getting marries and making babies of their religion. But don’t object to violent actions, like bombing abortion clinics, appearing on the internet. So their brand of rational judgment, should be called into question.

    The merest tiny fraction of human kind, who has a real problem with free expression on the internet, is obviously those in power (political and financial) who stand to suffer from information about their activities, jeopardizing their advantage. The advantage of operating in secret. And under the radar of the public that finances their fun and games.

    Getting the UN to do their dirty work, in order to legitimize this draconian plan to whitewash all channels of communication from expressing the truth. And yet meanwhile, all of the yellow journalist rags continue to exist, under the banner of Freedom of Speech. Not to mention all the movie studios continue to crank out films chocked with propaganda, supporting whatever political and military agendas they support and promote. But nobody’s proposing to censor big media corporations’ lying tongues. Just what billions of individuals want to say and/or read.

    Yeah, the UN really has to come to the rescue of the powerful few, to save their bacon. AS THEY USUALLY DO! What a joke that the UN represents the interests of everyone.

  13. Speter says:

    This is why wiki leaks is so important, although they could well be a propaganda mouthpiece too.

    Without them we are doomed ot believe wjat our govt and media tell us, we already know they are full of it.

    Sadly People look to authority for truth, this is the last place to find it.


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