July 14, 2012: #Anonymous statement re. #ITU @Liberationtech @UN @ITU_News Re.: @TPM story by @carlfranzen at http://is.gd/t8P4SR ~ what we've asked #ITU to do is not merely to release documents, but to open to all interested members of the general public (via the internet) the process of review of draft TD64s and ITRs by taking public comment on open, unlocked documents freely available to all. We have repeatedly suggested to the ITU in formal channels that they use a process of gathering public input on their proposals similar to that recently used by the ICANN / GNSO (which has an online public comment mechanism), or simply by taking comments on each draft of the TD64(s) and ITRs via e-mail through their website, which would enable any interested person, anywhere in the world to comment. It remains to be seen if that actually will happen. A press release has been issued by the ITU as of July 13, 2012. The link to the ITU's press release, titled "Online public platforms will be created to enable multi-stakeholder consultation," is here, at http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/46.aspx In the press release of the ITU, it discusses how it will include stakeholders in its online processes, but defines stakeholders only as "key communities, such as civil society stakeholders." It does not acknowledge an ITU staff or Council intent (at this time) to allow any member of the general public to participate. We will be keeping a close eye on the ITU over the coming days to observe whether or not a mechanism allowing for any interested person anywhere in the world to comment directly online to the ITU, is provided specifically accompanying each draft document that the ITU releases, much as the ICANN / GNSO has with its Public Comment Pages, or whether the content will remain limited (and whether the content released will remain limited for review only to specific organizations). The internet is for everyone. Proposals that could influence or alter the internet should be authored by everyone. People who propose things that could alter the internet in any way must have their proposals be subject to everyone. Entities that fail to realize this will lose relevancy in the new digital sphere that is.
