Beyond the ITU Victory: A Uniquely American Solution to Preserving a Global and Open Internet
On September 29, 2022, Doreen Bogdan-Martin defeated her Russian competitor Rashid Ismailov in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General race. She is the first-ever female to head the 150-year-old organization, but equally consequential is her identity as an American candidate.
In the fight against internet fragmentation – or “balkanization,” or “splinternet” – Ms. Bogdan-Martin’s victory must be of great relief for the U.S. government. Still, the preservation of a global and open internet will take more work from Washington than just ensuring the ITU is under ideologically friendly leadership.
An effective solution would be market-based, bottom-up, and infused with individualistic ideals, namely the enhancement of U.S. innovative capacity and end-user empowerment.