Internet Governance
Policy coherence Given the multidisciplinary nature of Internet governance and the great diversity of actors and policy forums, it is particularly challenging to achieve policy coherence. It requires many governments to have a flexible form of policy coordination, including horizontal communication among different ministries, the business sector, and other actors. Traditional governmental structure, based on a strong hierarchy, could be an obstacle to the development of such flexible coordination. Apart from the management challenge, achieving policy coherence is usually limited by the existence of competing policy interests. This is especially true in countries with well-developed and diversified Internet economies. For example, network neutrality is one of the latest issues in which the US government has become involved in a delicate balancing act between the Internet sector of the economy (Google, Yahoo!) who are strong supporters and the telecommunication/entertainment sector (Verizon and AT&T, Hollywood lobby), which sees it as an obstacle to developing a new business model based on faster Internet(s) for delivery of multimedia content. Technological convergence between various See Section 2 for further discussion on media will provide another impetus for achieving convergence policy coherence. Previously distinct policy areas, such as telecommunication and broadcasting, will have to merge in order to reflect technological convergence. The importance of Geneva-based permanent missions For many governments, their permanent missions in Geneva were important, if not vital, players in the WSIS and Internet governance processes. Most activities took place in Geneva, home to ITU, which played the main role in the processes. The first WSIS in 2003 took place in Geneva and all but one of the preparatory meetings were held in Geneva, keeping permanent missions based in Geneva directly involved. Currently, the IGF Secretariat is based in Geneva and all IGF preparatory meetings are held in the city. For large and developed countries, the permanent missions were part of the broad network of institutions and individuals that dealt with the WSIS and Internet governance processes. For small and developing countries, permanent missions were the primary and, in some cases, the only players in the processes. The WSIS portfolio added to the agenda of the usually small and over-stretched missions of developing countries. In many cases, the same diplomat had to undertake the tasks associated with WSIS along with other issues, such as human rights, health, trade, and labour. 162