John: well - my opinion differs. No need to forward the message, i'll so myself. Correct me if i'm wrong, has anyone @ ALAC mentioned that issues of freedom of expression, censorship and internet freedom ARE of concern to ICANN. All i have heard so far - is that the issue is best dealt with elsewhere, or that it is not "within the scope" or "mission" of ALAC and/or ICANN. regards Robert On 26-May-08, at 6:14 PM, John Levine wrote:

...

Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA) published a public statement the other day in which he and other congressional representatives seem to indicate that ICANN promotes free speech principles. However recent comments by members of the ICANN at-large advisory committee as well as members of ICANN staff seem to indicate that issues of freedom of expression, censorship and internet freedom is NOT of concern to ICANN.

Hi, Robert. Any objections if I forward this gross misrepresentation of the discussion on the ALAC list back to the ALAC?

Begin forwarded message:

From: Robert Guerra <lists@privaterra.info> Date: May 13, 2008 8:51:39 AM GMT-04:00 To: Khaled KOUBAA <khaled.koubaa@gmail.com> Cc: At-Large Worldwide <alac@atlarge-lists.icann.org>, NA Discuss <na-discuss@atlarge-lists.icann.org

...

, icann-list@sorehands.com, aheineman@ntia.doc.gov, mike@palage.com, Paul Twomey <twomey@icann.org>, carlton.samuels@uwimona.edu.jm , Jeff Neuman <Jeff.Neuman@neustar.us>, Beau Brendler <Brenbe@consumer.org , CWallace@cygnacom.com Subject: Re: [At-Large] Middle East & North Africa Outreach

Khaled:

First, thanks for your comments.

My original email was to assess, if ICANN/At-Large staff had undertaken any efforts or is planning any such efforts to involve and engage internet users from the middle east and/or north african region for the upcoming fall public meeting in Egypt. I am well aware of the geopolitical issues of the region - indeed they are complex. However, it is a region with a growing and vibrant online community of bloggers and internet governance specialists.

Through my involvement and engagement with Diplo Foundation, Global Voices, and many other organizations that I advise - I have a great deal of contact with people in the region who are active on the internet . They are experts in internet governance, journalists, bloggers and yes, even user groups. In essence, they are active internet users that happy to know the fall ICANN meeting will be in their part of the world and seem to be keen to learn more, be active in the meeting and share their perspective on key issues that affect the region such as IDN, Multi-lingual internet, DNS security, etc.

As you may know, one of the big issues discussed among bloggers and other users from the region is - of course - internet censorship and other restrictions imposed by governments such as Tunisia, Egypt, Syria and others. Reports from the Open Net Initiative, Global Voices Online and others speak in dire terms about how internet users are censored, blocked, arrested or worse.

http://del.icio.us/internetfreedom/egypt http://del.icio.us/internetfreedom/syria http://opennet.net/ http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/

As such - a question to ICANN staff and upper management - who do seem to be cc'd on the message... Can the organization guarantee that the meeting will have open and unfiltered access to the internet, and be open to all internet users from the region who wish to attend.

regards

Robert Guerra