Official: Internet Freedom Hearing Slated for Feb. 5

Will look at aftermath of ITU conference and U.S. decision not to sign on to telecom treaty

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/30/2013 9:04:45 AM

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden and Foreign Affairs Committee chair Ed Royce (R-Calif.) have made it official, announcing a joint global Internet freedom hearing for Feb. 5 in the Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Africa Global Health.

Walden had told reporters earlier this month that his first hearing of the new Congress would be tied to the International Telecommunication Union's recent telecom treaty conference in Dubai where the U.S. walked away rather than sign a new treaty that included Internet-regulation related language.

"The Internet has revolutionized technology and commerce, created jobs and promoted freedom," said Royce and Walden in a joint statement. "Regrettably, 89 of the ITU member nations adopted a new treaty that could lead to increased censorship on the Internet, and international efforts to regulate the Internet will continue. We are holding a joint hearing on Feb. 5 to examine the United States' position going forward."