France calls for UN to govern internet

GENEVA, Dec 10 (AFP) – French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin called Wednesday for “international rules” overseen by the United Nations to govern the internet.

“The information society offers new opportunities, but like all new technological revolutions it also brings uncertainty,” Raffarin told the UN-sponsored World Summit on the Information Society, the world’s first such meeting.

“It calls on us to establish international rules, which citizens can rely on,” said the premier.

“For France, the UN is the major source of international rights, which must ensure peace and development. That also concerns the information society,” he insisted.

According to Raffarin, these international rules must cover technical questions – such as the attribution of web addresses and management of domain names – as well as the protection of intellectual property.

This would guarantee “network security” and “deal with content while respecting freedom (of expression).”

The United States and other countries argue that governance of the internet should be left in private hands, namely the California-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

 © AFP

                                                                Subject: France news