Transparency and the governance of the Internet

In Internet governance transparency issues merit more extensive consideration: the Internet offers valuable opportunities for transparent communication and for the achievement of open access to discussion topics, thereby enhancing information exchange and dialogue between the governance-related institutions and the interested parties concerned. Transparency could also promote the mobilization of new actors and the participation of the civil society; such development would increase the level of democratic legitimization through active involvement. ICANN has recognized the need to improve the transparency framework within its structures; the ongoing attempts should be strengthened by scholar research supporting the efforts of the ICANN bodies in the present consultation phase. Since a transparent methodology for rule-making processes based on revisable procedures reduces mistrust, transparency should become a persistent objective of governance mechanisms.