Changes

Another issue that posed challenged to the multistakeholder process was the 2012 new gTLD expansion program. Many organizations particularly the Association of National Advertisers ([[ANA]]) and the Coalition for Responsible Internet Domain Oversight ([[CRIDO]]) and other trademark advocates criticized the program and asked the NTIA and United Congress to stop it during a Congressional inquiry.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/121911-domain-names-254226.html?page=1 Critics stage last-ditch effort to derail domain name expansion plan]</ref> Once again the NTIA decided not to interfere with ICANN's decision and stood firm in its commitment in promoting the multistakeholder model in internet governance. The NTIA reiterated, ''"NTIA is dedicated to maintaining an open, global Internet that remains a valuable tool for economic growth, innovation, and the free flow of information, goods, and services online. We believe the best way to achieve this goal is to continue to actively support and participate in multistakeholder Internet governance processes such as ICANN. How ICANN handles the new gTLD program will, for many, be a litmus test of the viability of this approach. For its part, NTIA is committed to continuing to be an active member of the GAC and working with stakeholders to mitigate any unintended consequences of the new gTLD program."''<ref>[http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42351.pdf Internet Governance and the Domain Name System: Issues for Congress, Lennard G. Kruger, February 9, 2012]</ref>

Another issue that posed challenged to the multistakeholder process was the 2012 new gTLD expansion program. Many organizations particularly the Association of National Advertisers ([[ANA]]) and the Coalition for Responsible Internet Domain Oversight ([[CRIDO]]) and other trademark advocates criticized the program and asked the NTIA and United Congress to stop it during a Congressional inquiry.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/121911-domain-names-254226.html?page=1 Critics stage last-ditch effort to derail domain name expansion plan]</ref> Once again the NTIA decided not to interfere with ICANN's decision and stood firm in its commitment in promoting the multistakeholder model in internet governance. The NTIA reiterated, ''"NTIA is dedicated to maintaining an open, global Internet that remains a valuable tool for economic growth, innovation, and the free flow of information, goods, and services online. We believe the best way to achieve this goal is to continue to actively support and participate in multistakeholder Internet governance processes such as ICANN. How ICANN handles the new gTLD program will, for many, be a litmus test of the viability of this approach. For its part, NTIA is committed to continuing to be an active member of the GAC and working with stakeholders to mitigate any unintended consequences of the new gTLD program."''<ref>[http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42351.pdf Internet Governance and the Domain Name System: Issues for Congress, Lennard G. Kruger, February 9, 2012]</ref>

==ICANN Structure==

==ICANN Structure==