Changes

Another issue that challenged the multistakeholder process was the 2012 [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD expansion program]]. Many organizations, particularly the [[ANA|Association of National Advertisers]] (ANA) and the [[CRIDO|Coalition for Responsible Internet Domain Oversight]] (CRIDO) and other trademark advocates, criticized the program and asked the NTIA and United States 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, NTIA decided not to interfere with ICANN's decision and stood firm in its commitment to promoting the multistakeholder model of 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 challenged the multistakeholder process was the 2012 [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD expansion program]]. Many organizations, particularly the [[ANA|Association of National Advertisers]] (ANA) and the [[CRIDO|Coalition for Responsible Internet Domain Oversight]] (CRIDO) and other trademark advocates, criticized the program and asked the NTIA and United States 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, NTIA decided not to interfere with ICANN's decision and stood firm in its commitment to promoting the multistakeholder model of 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>

===Strickling Supports Multistakeholder Process===

===Strickling Supports Multistakeholder Process===

During the [[IGF|Internet Governance Forum]] (IGF) in Nairobi on September 27, 2011, NTIA Assistant Secretary [[Larry Strickling]], a consistent supporter of the multi-stakeholder model, stated that the multistakeholder process in Internet governance is being challenged because of the increasing restrictions by nations of the free flow of information over the Internet, disputes between standard bodies, and appeals for government interventions on the terms and conditions for exchanging Internet traffic. He also cited that the latest proposal by India, Brazil and South Africa to create a new international organization to manage the Internet. Secretary Strickling poined out that the existing Internet has been a very effective vehicle for economic growth and innovation, and that it was established through the hard work of multistakeholder organizations such as the [[ISOC|Internet Society], the [[IETF|Internet Engineering Task Force]] (IETF) and the [[World Wide Web Consortium]]. Strickling emphasized that the multistakeholder process is characterized by openness, inclusiveness, speed, flexibility, and decentralized problem solving in Internet governance. He encouraged IGF participants to continue to support ICANN's multistakeholder process and to continue to expand jobs, economic development, wealth and fundamental rights and freedoms for all.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/headlines/2011/opening-session-remarks-assistant-secretary-strickling-internet-governance-forum Opening Session Remarks of Assistant Secretary Strickling at the Internet Governance Forum]</ref>

During the [[IGF|Internet Governance Forum]] (IGF) in Nairobi on September 27, 2011, NTIA Assistant Secretary [[Larry Strickling]], a consistent supporter of the multi-stakeholder model, stated that the multistakeholder process in Internet governance is being challenged because of the increasing restrictions by nations of the free flow of information over the Internet, disputes between standard bodies, and appeals for government interventions on the terms and conditions for exchanging Internet traffic. He also cited that the latest proposal by India, Brazil and South Africa to create a new international organization to manage the Internet. Secretary Strickling poined out that the existing Internet has been a very effective vehicle for economic growth and innovation, and that it was established through the hard work of multistakeholder organizations such as the [[ISOC|Internet Society]], the [[IETF|Internet Engineering Task Force]] (IETF) and the [[World Wide Web Consortium]]. Strickling emphasized that the multistakeholder process is characterized by openness, inclusiveness, speed, flexibility, and decentralized problem solving in Internet governance. He encouraged IGF participants to continue to support ICANN's multistakeholder process and to continue to expand jobs, economic development, wealth and fundamental rights and freedoms for all.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/headlines/2011/opening-session-remarks-assistant-secretary-strickling-internet-governance-forum Opening Session Remarks of Assistant Secretary Strickling at the Internet Governance Forum]</ref>

 

==References==

==References==