In a video posted on her website this morning, Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, has called for greater transparency and accountability in Internet Governance. She outlines a new Internet Governance model which includes a fully private and accountable ICANN, accompanied by an independent judicial body, as well as a \"G12 for Internet Governance\"—a multilateral forum for governments to discuss general internet governance policy and security issues.
Reding says: \"A moment of truth will come on 30 September this year, when the current agreement between ICANN and the US Government expires. This opens the door for the full privatization of ICANN; and it also raises the question of to whom ICANN should be accountable, as from 1 October. ... I trust that President Obama will have the courage, the wisdom and the respect for the global nature of the internet to pave the way in September for a new, more accountable, more transparent, more democratic and more multilateral form of Internet Governance. The time to act is now. And Europe will be ready to support President Obama in his efforts.\"
Related Links: The Future of Internet Governance: Towards an Accountable ICANN
