Freedom of Expression in a Web 2.0 World

In a Web 2.0 world, the Internet is becoming a pervasive and powerful medium for user-generated content, interaction, and communication. This workshop will explore US-based perspectives on Web 2.0 implications for free expression.

Let's structure the discussion to address four questions:

1. How do you see Web 2.0 in terms of expanding free expression?

2. What are the emerging threats to free expression and human rights in Web 2.0?

3. How are emerging technologies likely to impact opportunities and threats to free expression?

4. The IGF embraces global perspectives, but IGF-USA is intended to explore the range of perspectives from US-based stakeholders. How can US-based interests (government, civil society, business, and citizens) help the IGF to promote free expression in a Web 2.0 world?

Panelists:
Bob Boorstin, Google
Robert Guerra, Freedom House
Rebecca MacKinnon, Journalism & Media Studies Centre, University of Hong Kong
Miriam Nisbet, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
David Gross, Wiley Rein LLP

IGF themes addressed by this workshop:
Access, Diversity, Security, Openness

Format of the workshop:
This is a panel of experts, representing range of US perspectives on this issue. We can ask each panelist to take a turn addressing each of the questions noted above, with follow-ups among the panelists. Then we would open the floor to audience questions.

All panelists will be present. Remote audience members can participate by listening to panelists and post/email questions during audience Q&A.


Background Info
IGF - Creating an Industry Playbook to Protect Free Speech
Freedom on the Net: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media

Co-organizers:
Robert Guerra and Katrina Neubauer, Freedom House
Katitza Rodríguez and Lillie Coney, EPIC
Brenden Kuerbis, Internet Governance Project
Steve DelBianco, NetChoice
Marilyn Cade
Marc-Anthony Signorino, National Association of Manufacturers
Nathaniel James, OneWebDay
Chris Merida, US Chamber of Commerce
Liesyl Franz, TechAmerica

Panelist bios:

Robert Guerra

Robert Guerra directs the Internet Freedom project at Freedom House. The project aims to analyze the state of internet freedom, to expand the use of anti-censorship technologies, to build support networks for citizens fighting against online repression and to focus greater international attention on the growing threats to users’ rights. Robert is also one of the founding directors of Privaterra - a Canadian based initiative that works with nongovernmental organizations to assist them with issues of data privacy, secure communications, information security, internet governance and internet freedom. He is often invited to speak at events to share the challenges being faced by social justice organizations in regards to surveillance, censorship and privacy. He advises numerous non-profits, foundations and international organizations, including Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), Taking IT Global, DiploFoundation's Internet Governance and Policy Capacity Building Programme, The Open Net Initiative and The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers's Security and Stability Advisory Committee. Bob Boorstin

Bob Boorstin is Director of Corporate and Policy Communications in the Washington D.C. office of Google, where he helps design and implement the company’s strategies on a wide range of domestic and international policy issues. Mr. Boorstin, 49, has more than 25 years of experience in political communications, national security, public opinion research and journalism. He served for more than seven years in the Clinton Administration, with positions including the president’s chief speechwriter at the National Security Council and senior advisor to U.S. Secretary of Treasury Robert Rubin and U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher. He helped establish the Washington-based think tank, the Center for American Progress, and has served as communications and political advisor to party leaders and leading government officials in the U.S. and Europe.
Rebecca MacKinnon

Rebecca MacKinnon is a 2009 Open Society Institute fellow, working on a book about China and the global Internet. She is cofounder of Global Voices (Globalvoicesonline.org), a global citizen media network, and an assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong's Journalism and Media Studies Centre, where she teaches online journalism and conducts research on the Internet, China, and censorship. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, she was previously CNN's Beijing bureau chief in Beijing and in Tokyo. She is a founding member of the Global Network Initiative, an initiative to advance freedom of expression and privacy in the Internet and telecoms sectors. She was also public lead in 2007 and 2008 for Creative Commons Hong Kong. She has previously been a fellow at the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and at Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society. For more information about MacKinnon and her work see her blog at Rconversation.blogs.com.

Miriam McIntire Nisbet

Miriam Nisbet is the first Director of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration. Miriam previously served for two years at UNESCO in Paris as Director of the Information Society Division, where she promoted use of ICTs for education, science, culture and development. Miriam also facilitated follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society, including Internet governance issues.
From 1999 to 2007, Miriam served as Legislative Counsel for the American Library Association, where she handled policy for online copyright and access to government information and privacy. From 1994 to 1999, Miriam was Special Counsel for Information Policy, National Archives and Records Administration. Prior to joining the National Archives in 1994, Miriam had served since 1982 as the Deputy Director of the Office of Information and Privacy, U.S. Department of Justice. Miriam received a BA degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a JD degree from the University’s School of Law.

David Gross, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP

Ambassador Gross is one of the world’s foremost experts on international telecommunications, having addressed the UN General Assembly and led more U.S. delegations to major international telecommunication conferences than anyone in modern history. Drawing on his more than 25 years of experience as a global policy maker and corporate executive, he now assists U.S. companies seeking to enter or expand international businesses, as well as non-U.S. companies and organizations seeking to invest in, monitor and understand the U.S. market. Amb. Gross informs clients regarding the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Organization for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperative (APEC), as well as other international bodies.