[bestbits] [letter to Dilma Rousseff] merging threads from IGC and BB

[Carlos A. Afonso]

Hi, today Rio's "O Globo", one of the three main conservative opposition
newspapers (which form part of what we use to call "the party of the
pro-coup press", or PIG for its initials in Portuguese) brings a strong
editorial in favor of Dilma's speech at the UN, emphasizing its support
in favor of net neutrality as presented by Rousseff, as well as in favor
of bringing the discussion of an international framework of Internet
rights to every multilateral fora.

The newspaper is part of the powerful vertical concern called "Globo
Outfit" (Organizações Globo) which controls the main TV and radio
networks and even part of film production in Brazil, a near-monopoly à
la Murdoch. So, this coming from the conservative press puts strong
additional pressure in favor of this crucial component of Marco Civil.

It is relevant to note that Globo, which once owned the largest cable TV
network in the country, knwon simply as "Net", has recently sold control
of this service to Carlos Slim's Claro of Mexico -- so this might
explain its explicit position, as a content provider, in favor of net
neutrality now, as Net is a leading broadband provider in the main cities.

"O Estado de São Paulo", another member of the PIG, has also been for a
while defending our vision of the MC in editorials as well.

The transnational oligopoly of telecommunications companies here (Claro
Mexico, Telefónica de España, Telecom Italia, Oi/Portugal Telcom, and
GVT/Vivendi) seems quite isolated now on its insistence in inserting
violations of net neutrality in the MC. But we cannot underestimate its
lobbying power in Congress.

Interestingly enough, the president agrees with us on removing an MC
paragraph which might lead to takedown of content without due legal
process if someone argues it might violate intellectual property rights,
thus in practice imposing on service providers a sort of arbitrary IP
police power. This was inserted in the MC by big media lobbyists, by the
way.

Interestingly rough times here, folks :)

abraços fraternos

--c.a.

On 09/25/2013 11:04 PM, Marilia Maciel wrote:
> Agreed as well, Joana. Another information that may be important is that
> Dilma mentioned today that she does not believe that the UN should be
> involved in all Internet governance issues.The UN should be responsible for
> making sure that the Internet is not militarized. Diego just mentioned that
> he heard something along this lines in an interview over the radio and I
> thought it was a relevant.
> 
> I take the opportunity to invite you to a debate being co-organized by the
> Center for Technology and Society of FGV and DiploFoundation about the role
> of Brazil in the IG regime. Diego and I will be sharing a few thoughts on
> issues such as impact of the NSA revelations to Brazil-US relations, to the
> national regulatory/technical landscape and to Brazil's positions on global
> IG. There will be opportunity for comments and questions. It will be
> tomorrow (Thursday) at 13:00 GMT.
> http://www.diplomacy.edu/calendar/webinar-brazil-leading-new-revolution-global-digital-policy
> 
> Best wishes
>