Status:
IGF Theme(s) for workshop: Emerging Issues
Main theme question address by workshop: Question 1, 2
Concise description of the proposed workshop:
The advent of the Internet and the transition towards cloud-based content provision potentially challenge the traditional notion of pluralism, at one expanding its potential and undermining its foundations. The impact of these developments on freedom of expression and pluralism is highly debated, especially in Europe.
The workshop will discuss:
• The definition of media in the Internet age: how comprehensive should it be, and should it entail any responsibility for editorial control?
• Possible policy means to preserve media pluralism on the Internet (e.g. protecting the end-to-end architecture of the Internet, a robust best effort network, legal rules on “must-carry” content, protection of user-generated content, etc.).
• The notion of pluralism in the era of online search: should it lead to “diversity by design”, or “exposure by design” principles to preserve pluralism?
• Striking a balance between copyright protection and pluralism: are we sacrificing pluralism on the altar of copyright enforcement? The consequences for pluralism of deep packet inspection.
This discussion will be based i.a. on the work of the Council of Europe and the new initiatives launched by the European Commission in the past months: from the creation of a high level group on media pluralism to the MEDIADEM project, to the creation of a dedicated centre at the EUI. These initiatives place the EU at the forefront of the debate, and thus in the best position to organize this workshop.
Background Paper:
Name of the organiser(s) of the workshop and their affiliation to various stakeholder groups:
CEPS (Andrea Renda), ULB (Caroline Pauwels), Université de Louvain (Peggy Valcke), EUI (Florence School of Regulation – Pierluigi Parcu, Global Governance Programme – Miguel Maduro), CEU (Kristina Irion), European Commission
Have you, or any of your co-organisers, organised an IGF workshop before?: Yes
Please provide link(s) to workshop(s) or report(s):
http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/component/chronocontact/?chronoformname=Workshops2011View&wspid=116
http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/component/chronocontact/?chronoformname=Workshops2011View&wspid=118
Provide the names and affiliations of the panellists you are planning to invite:
CEPS (Andrea Renda), ULB (Caroline Pauwels), Université de Louvain (Peggy Valcke), EUI (Florence School of Regulation – Pierluigi Parcu, Global Governance Programme – Miguel Maduro), CEU (Kristina Irion).
Name of Remote Moderator(s):