Government

Congressional Committee Seeks to Uphold Free Internet Against U.N. ‘Power Grab’

Congress Taking Stand Against U.N. Pull for More Internet Regulatory Authority

Former U.N. Ambassador for international telecom policy David Gross speaks at the Thursday's committee meeting. (Image: UStream Screenshot)

On Thursday a House Energy and Commerce Committee met to discuss a proposed resolution that would “preserve and protect a global Internet” from the United Nations which is seeking broader regulatory authority.

On Wednesday, the committee introduced a resolution that would “reject the proposed international takeover of the Internet and preserve the current ‘multi-stakeholder’ model of governance.”

According to the Reuters, an International Internet Union will be discussed at the World Conference on International Telecommunications in December. Here’s more about how the Internet is currently governed:

The Internet is currently policed loosely, with technical bodies such as the Internet Engineering Task Force, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and the World Wide Web Consortium largely dictating its infrastructure and management. The United States holds significant sway with those bodies.

When the delegations gather in Dubai, they will renegotiate a UN treaty last revisited in 1988 and debate whether to consolidate control over the Internet with the UN’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The ITU is used to set communications standards, such as deciding when technologies can be labeled 4G and approving a standard for a universal telephone charger.

(Related: The real 4G coming soon: Mobile devices 500 times faster than 3G)

“In a time of economic uncertainty and turmoil, the Internet remains a job creation engine that fosters innovation, brings the people of the world together in new ways, and drives global discussion of important social matters,” Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) said in a statement. “The Internet has become this economic and social juggernaut not because governmental actors willed it to be so, but because the government took a step back and let the private sector drive its evolution. International regulatory intrusion into the Internet would have disastrous results not just for the United States, but for people around the world. I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle working together to send a strong message that we support the multi-stakeholder model.”

Reuters states the December meeting will be among 193 countries that will discuss the potential for U.N. Internet regulation. In addition to this congressional committee’s proposal to protect a free Internet, the Obama administration has also met with corporation and advocacy groups in the past weeks to gauge where they stood. Reuters reported an unnamed State Department official saying this is “one of those circumstances where I think it‘s fair to say there’s absolute unanimity” among the government, advocacy groups and private parties in the U.S.

Reuters reports former State Department ambassador David Gross, currently a partner at Wiley Rein, said at the December meeting the U.S. will need to be careful to not attack the U.N.’s telecommunications authority but instead establish a coalition with other countries holding a similar position as the United States.

The committee’s testimony is being live-streamed here.

Comments (48)

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  • The American
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:59am

    This is simple, what country does the UN own? Oh thats right they dont have their own country, tell them to pound sand, it really is that easy!

    Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:41am

    KEEP your damn hands off my internet!!

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • midwesthippie
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 10:22am

    …how about…we give the UN their own little internet to regulate and let’s see how successful it is.

    Report Post » midwesthippie  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:25am

      And this internet they will supervise must be in some other country than the United States. We need to close this abomination down.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
  • oldchevyguy
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:54am

    US out of the UN and UN out of the US !!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Watcher1952
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:18am

    I will NOT abide by any thing the United Nations comes up with…..they are attempting to have world wide control and this administration is playing along with them if not leading them…..Wake up AMERICA…don’t let this happen to our great country

    Report Post »  
  • DRAGONSEED
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 4:45am

    Whose stupid idea is this, anyway, that U.N. should have ANY internet authority?

    Report Post » DRAGONSEED  
    • BuggiOlleo
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:23am

      ICANN has been petitioned this year by oppressives .gov’s, Russia, China, some old Soviet Block Countries, parts of the South Pacific, wherever .gov is more important than its people, they are selling out because of the FREE flow of ideas and information “unregulated” unless you become profane, belligerent, or life threatening. Communist and Socialist Countries have a real problem with Free Ideas because it isn’t HIVE minded, kinda like the United Nations..Wow, I just can’t wait for the US to sellout to Global .gov. Seems like fun, huh, ideas, freedom, information, conspiracies are magnanimous when individuality becomes contagious.

      Report Post » BuggiOlleo  
    • TyrannyNoMore
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:07am

      The U.N. is trying to get their dirty little $hit mitts on everything now. The internet was designed and created by Americans, for the purpose of having communications that would survive a nuclear attack. How sad that this modern marvel could survive thermal nuclear war, but may not survive the evil ambitions of a few elite, who are bent on world domination. Since Americans created the WWW, I would think that gives us a little more say, or leverage, when it comes time to block the U.N. from trying to usurp our sovereignty. If they get control over the internet, censorship is inevitable and will be implemented forthwith. This must not stand !!

      Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 3:08am

    Why is the free world even discussing this?

    The UN wants to govern the world and they said so at Copenhagen. They are sneaking in stuff like Law of the Sea (to name just one) in a blatant attempt to remove themselves from the control of contributing countries.

    It is bad enough that they are trying to control the internet, but if they succeed, they will almost immediately introduce fees for use. The UN has been trying for decades to control their own source of income. They have attempted a surcharge on international monetary transactions and international travel, amongst other things, because they find it intolerable that their plans are thwarted due to the need not to upset contributing free nations that might withhold their dues.

    It should be of great concern to everybody that they are continually trying to disarm free citizens of all countries and create their own standing army. They have stated these objectives. And what is the first sign of tyranny?

    It is time that free nations woke up to the fact that they are funding an organisation that is bent on destroying their sovereignty, and create an organisation for countries that believe in freedom.

    Once defunded by free nations, the UN will collapse.

    Report Post »  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 4:36am

      I just watched most of that Congressional hearing and it made me come unhinged that anyone would even consider giving the U.N. any kind of authority to regulate the internet. I would not trust anything that Vereer character said. Or whatever his name was. I think he was one of Hilary’s minions. She’s as bad as Eric Holder.

      Report Post »  
    • DRAGONSEED
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 4:38am

      Very well stated.

      Report Post » DRAGONSEED  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:01am

      I can not believe this is happening at all? Why is it? We are a free and sovreign nation and the UN should have NO control over us. This “one world” crap is intruding into every aspect of our lives lately. It NEEDS TO STOP. I hope Romney is against all these “WORLD ORGANIZATIONS” taking over power in the USA.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • poweruser19
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:32am

    You people just do not get it!!!!
    They are doing it already using executive orders from the presidents and handing off the enforcement to the fda,epa,doj, and so on they even are indoctrinating our children in the public schools.
    We must repeal the previous “E.O.”‘s put in place by our past presidents. Starting with the first bush, then clinton, and now obama. These executive orders are not lawful, but how can you stop the epa and the federal government when they do not go through congress…..
    If Romney does not have the guts to repeal these E.O’s we are screwed

    Report Post »  
  • EndTheFedNOW
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:09am

    When will the Blaze run a story on Bilderberg 2012? Which is going on right now in Chantilly VA.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/30/bilderberg-2012-technocrats-are-rising

    http://www.infowars.com/bilderberg2012/

    Neocons and liberals alike can not deny it anymore. The real news from the BLAZE needs to cover this. But I bet they wont. Cause Beck is a sell out. Him and his private jet and charging thousands of dollars to meet him..

    Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
    • The_Eye
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:19pm

      Probably because there is nothing to cover at Bilderberg. I listen to Alex Jones too and all he keeps talking about is ‘global elites meeting’ and ‘Logan Act’ and has the occasional person on who claims they know what was said in any meeting. It’s silly to go over.
      Bilderberg doesn’t violate the Logan Act as far as anyone can tell, you are allowed to talk to other people from other countries in an unofficial capacity all you want.
      Futhermore, and perhaps even more interesting given the supposed ‘freedom loving’ nature of Alex Jones, Bilderberg is presented by a private organization. A private organization can have any guests it wants and has no obligation to let anyone in the meeting or list any details therein regardless of whether they guests are elected public officials or not as NOTHING in the meeting is official. Sure they may talk about a bill and lay all the verbiage down but none of it means squat until a legislative body passes the law.
      If anything Alex Jones is ignoring this story as it has much greater ramifications than standing outside Bilderberg demanding to know what a bunch of old men are talking about.

      Report Post »  
  • Bruce P.
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:06am

    Do we want the same organization that puts the worst human rights offenders in charge of the human rights council in charge of the greatest democratizing invention in human history?

    Report Post » Bruce P.  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:27am

      Bruce P. I Agree this would be a horrible mistake. while there are soo many other bad guy / Somali pirates / Iran to focus their feeble minds on………

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
  • affinity
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:22am

    If anyone should be upset it’s John Kerry. Not only did he serve in Vietnam but he also invented the internet.

    I don’t like the U.N. and I don‘t like Globalization so it’s painfully obvious that what I like doesn’t matter to the controllers.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:27am

      I thought ALGORE invented the internet ;-)

      The U.N. wants to do this to take out the United States .. make no mistake they are an enemy of this country ..

      Report Post »  
  • Hobo Boondocks
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:09am

    Look how successful the U.N. has been as an international peace keeping organization. What do we have to be concerned about, if they get their grubby hands on the internet?

    Report Post »  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:51pm

    Hands off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything the gov’t runs that should be run by the private sector, it destroys, stay the hell out of the internet!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • ContinentalArmy
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:47pm

    I’m damn sick and tired of these Stupid Politicians selling this Country down the crapper! NO DAMN INTERNET UNION! SCREW THE DAMN U.N.!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • southernORcobra
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:38pm

    bulldoze the UN building and build a giant statue of George Washington

    Report Post »  
  • WISEPENNY
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:27pm

    The simple fact that Dubai is hosting the talks shoudl be the only excuse we need to say NO THANKS.
    These traitors that are ceding our soviernty little by little don’t realize that once they manage to fling the door open that they become no longer useful to the cause and they will be in grave danger from those who are convincing them to betray the USA. Congress, DO NOT ALLOW ANYMORE LOSS OF OUR PRECIOUS FREEDOM! Enough is enough!

    Report Post »  
  • mrsuperpat
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:57pm

    So sick of power grabbing tyrants and potted plant reps in congress. It should be unanimous to keep the internet free. But due to corporate and political interests congress will likely cave just like they did on NDAA and Drones, healthcare, Patriot Act, Federal Reserve Act, bailouts etc…… Then all the hype about cyber security I have one question, why do we have electrical grids and critical defense infrastructure even plugged in to the internet? And these foreign countries can go suck air, they should just be unplugged if they don’t like it.

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:56pm

    The UN can F off and die,they’re nothing but a criminal organization bent on the destruction of this country and they have an ally in the white house.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • mr.goodvibe
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:19pm

      Amen, there should not even be a question in their minds about allowing such BS.

      Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:55pm

    I’m tired of the world being run by Soviet style committees. I’m for individual liberty and responsibility. Let’s go that way, not the group conformance way.

    Report Post »  
  • Legion5
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:54pm

    The only thing the UN is good at is blowing hot air and contributing to global warming!!! We need to end our membership and kick them the hell out!

    Report Post » Legion5  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:54pm

    Individuals are responsible for THEIR equipment only. Nations are only an extension of individual rights. Collectivists around the globe have NO SAY in what we do in America. We are not going to permit the globalization or collectivization of OUR property. WE OWN IT, not you. We own it individually, privately, and separately. You can agree to what you want in your own country. We have state regulations and local control of our own little piece of the pie and you have no jurisdiction period end of story.

    Report Post »  
    • poweruser19
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:24am

      well maybe you better start paying attention to agenda 21 of the un. they are taking our rights of property ownership to further their goal of environmental sustainability.
      AGENDA 21

      Report Post »  
  • mattmo79
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:53pm

    While they’re at it go ahead and reject the Law of the Sea Treaty and UN Agenda 21!! Get the UN the HE!! out of our country!!

    Report Post » mattmo79  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:49pm

    screw the un

    tell them to get the f out of the United States while your at it

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • F_This
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:48pm

    This is a free country. The UN can kiss my azz! Why would we even consider letting them regulate anything of ours? Obama has left nothing to regulate anyway.

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:48pm

    Pull the plug on the U.N. GET U.S. OUT!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
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