Leaked Proposals Set Stage for UN Squabble Over Internet Freedom

By Richard Adhikari – The United States is battling over proposed United Nations regulations that could place new burdens and restrictions on Internet companies and users.

One U.S. objection to this proposal, though, is that its wording could let a country repress political opposition and cite the ITRs for support. Another is that it appears to contradict Article 19 of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This states that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.

However, the U.S. government itself monitors and regulates Internet use, so “some of Congress‘ statements about WCIT have a strong odor of hypocrisy,” said Eli Dourado, a research fellow at the George Mason University Mercatus Center. more> http://tinyurl.com/7oxtr34

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• FCC’s Genachowski praises House resolution against U.N. Internet governance, Chris Rizo, FierceOnlineVideo
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Banks Need ‘Push’ to Avoid Prolonging Crisis, BIS Says

English: A model that describes the competitive environment of a company’s business model.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Boris Groendahl – Lenders, almost four years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., still hold overvalued assets and are postponing necessary recapitalizations while relying on official funding, especially in Europe, the BIS said in its annual report released yesterday. Banks are also returning to risks akin to those that led to the crisis.

“Public policy must move banks to adopt business models that are less risky, more sustainable and more clearly in the public interest,” the BIS said in the report. more> http://tinyurl.com/6v8hw7p

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Europe failing to reach digital agenda targets, admits Commission

By Benjamin Fox – Earlier this week (18 June) the commission published its second annual Digital Agenda Scoreboard.

The main targets at risk include plans for a 100 percent increase in research and development spending on digital technology to €11 billion by 2020, broadband coverage cross the whole of the EU, alongside increases in general Internet use and commerce online.

According to the scoreboard, one in three households in Europe is still without internet connection, while just under a quarter of adults have never used the Internet. more> http://tinyurl.com/74dy7ux

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An Easy To Follow Primer For This Week’s SCOTUS Healthcare Ruling

By Rick Ungar – This is the week.

With the Supreme Court expected to hand down it’s decision on Obamacare as early as Monday morning, here is an easy to follow review of what the court will be deciding—and what it all might mean.

Believe it or not, one possible outcome could be a decision that any ruling is premature. more> http://tinyurl.com/6ohqspx

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