Topic: Net Neutrality
Country: Panama
Delegate Name: Calum Spoelma
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Panama position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Coined back in 2003 by media law professor Tim Wu, net neutrality in today’s day and age is considered by many to be incredibly important. Net neutrality: the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites. Discrimination on the net whether it be by protocol, IP address or network is still a form of discrimination. Since the Internet was created, net neutrality has remained a core democratizing, yet polarizing, feature. Considered by many to be a form of speech, the absence of net neutrality would therefore be a violation of that right. Moreover, large web companies such as Google and Facebook would never have been able to reach where they are today without the aide of a neutral net. Additionally, providing a level playing field for competing companies, net neutrality promotes fairness in capitalism as well.
Despite the that fact that access to the Internet is not a public utility, the Republic of Panama encourages net neutrality. Additionally, as supporters of freedom of speech, we therefore also support net neutrality, as it is freedom of speech on the web. The Republic of Panama likewise does not place any government restriction on access to the Internet. The Internet, being a forceful device can be dangerous if placed in the hands of the wrong individuals or corporations. If certain groups are prioritized above others it would be unfair and would lead to an oppressive Internet. Although less than half of our population has access to the Internet, the Republic of Panama encourages member nations to draft a favorable position on net neutrality understanding that those who do have access should be treated equally and fairly.
The Republic of Panama reiterates our support of access to an open and free Internet. We again call upon all members to unite and adopt a comprehensive plan that will allow all citizens to benefit from an open and free Internet. Furthermore, we collectively need to find better ways to block harmful forms of communication yet not limit other speech. The Republic of Panama wishes to push this point forward as it is all our responsibility to protect the rights of the free world.
