The G8 Takes on the Internet and Civil Society (Including Us) Asks for a Seat at the Table
What are people doing on the internet? Who regulates this behavior? How?
As the past few months have demonstrated, these are questions with lots of repercussions for online activism. That’s why it’s worth noting that the world’s 8 wealthiest countries are about to tackle them at an event in France. The EG8 meeting, put together by France’s President Sarkozy, will precede the annual G8 conference. It will, according to Reuters, “focus on how to harness the economic potential of the Internet and foster innovation, while protecting intellectual property rights."
In attendance will also be a selected group of internet luminaries, from Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to News Corporation's Rupert Murdoch. Glaringly not in attendance will be members of global civil society - traditionally those that organize, represent and advocate on behalf of global citizens - which is why a few organizations, including our own, decided to spotlight this omission. Last week we signed a Civil Society Letter to the G8, and we support this effort encouraging the G8 to publicly commit to citizen-centered policies like expanding Internet access for all, combating digital censorship and surveillance, limiting online intermediary liability, and upholding principles of net neutrality.
What do you think? Want to get involved? Let us know in the comments.
