Panel Explores New Study by the Markle Foundation on Internet Public Policy Issues
Feature Story by Cory Smith - 7/11/2001
WASHINGTON, June 10-The Internet Education Foundation, in association with the Congressional Internet Caucus, held a policy luncheon to explore the findings of a newly released study on public opinion and the Internet by the Markle Foundation entitled "Toward a Framework for Internet Accountability".The report, released at the National Press Club by Zoe Baird, President of the Markle Foundation, and Stan Greenberg, Chairman of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, explored public opinion on Internet public policy issues such as accountability and governance.
The study finds that at a time of intense debate over key Internet policy Americans are enthusiastic about the Internet, but that they are eager to have new forms of public, private, and non-profit governance of the Internet in order to give them more protection and control when they go online. The report concluded that the public is most likely to support decision-making processes open to the public that also incorporate a broad range of interests including industry, government, and non-profit organizations. The public also wants enforceable solutions, individuals with a certain degree of accountability and responsibility on Internet issues, an increase of public education on the rights of individuals on the Internet, and a protection from the risks and hazards of the Internet.
The luncheon was opened by Senators Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT) and Conrad Burns (R-MT), the co-chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus. Sen. Leahy, in his opening remarks, noted that the public loves the Internet because it is open and diverse, much like a "limitless library." He believes the future of the Internet lies in finding a way to develop a legal framework that incor-porates accountability while retaining the openness associated with cyberspace. Senator Leahy warned that the Internet must avoid the "heavy hand of government". Sen. Burns followed with remarks detailing the need for a balance between government intervention and freedom, citing a need for the Internet to have both credibility and accountability. He stated that despite the recent dot-com collapse, the vitality of the Internet is evidenced by the resilience of e-commerce and business to business transactions.
Ms. Baird opened the panel discussion by discussing the amazing potential of the Internet. She stated that America loved the ideal of the Internet as a place of immediate information, a phenomenon which represents the American ideals of free speech. However, Ms. Baird also noted that the public has concerns about the Internet and wants those concerns addressed. These concerns include the impersonal nature of the Internet, the unreliability of information found online, and the question of an individual's rights online as opposed to offline. Many Americans, she said, believe that they do not have the same rights online that they possess offline.
The luncheon focused heavily on the statistical and opinion research compiled by Stan Greenberg of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. The data revealed that the Internet is extremely popular, used by nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of the American public, with 83 percent of Internet users expressing a favorable opinion of it. The Internet is rooted in the American ideal of progress and is viewed as an open library, yet it is viewed with caution. The public, according to Mr. Greenberg, is concerned over pornography, violence, protecting children from obscene material, privacy, fraud, and hacking on the Internet. On the question of accountability, the public takes a much more cynical view-nearly half state that the Internet cannot be governed and cannot be accountable to anyone.
The research did show that the public wants government, industry, and non-profit groups to collectively develop policies that will allow for safer, freer Internet usage. The public seeks to trust the Internet as a safe place for commerce and information, yet they are unaware of any authority that can ensure accountability and responsibility.
The short panel discussion explored accountability and governance online. Participating in the panel were Jerry Berman, President of the Internet Education Foundation and Executive Director of the Center for Democracy & Technology, Caitlin Halligan from the New York Attorney General's office, Professor Larry Lessig, Professor of Law from Stanford University, and Adam Thierer, Director of Telecommunications Studies of the Cato Institute. Ms. Halligan stated that the public is enthusiastic about the Internet, but is unsure about online safety. Second, she stated that the public is looking for government to deal with safety concerns, and highlighted the distinct disadvantage of law enforcement to effectively combat different forms of criminal activity online. Professor Lessig followed with a brief discussion as to the differences in priorities between the government and the public in reference to Internet policy. He also addressed the current movement to deregulate the telecommunications industry and its potentially adverse effect on open access to communications technologies. Mr. Theirer, talked briefly about the public's healthy skepticism on the role of government in Internet policy. Press Coverage
Survey Shows Support for Internet Rules , July 10, 2001, Jonathan Krim, The Washington Post
Internet Is Valued as Information Source Rather Than for Commerce, Study Finds, July 10, 2001 Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
U.S Internet Users Want More Safeguards, July 10, 2001 the BBC
Net Is Still Popular, But Not to Shop, July 10, 2001 The Industry Standard
Love the Internet? Americans Unsure, July 11, 2001, International Herald Tribune
Study U.S. Loves, Fears Net, by Joanna Glasner, July 10, 2001, Wired News
