[FoME] The Myth of the Global Internet

[Leo Van Audenhove]

The Myth of the Global Internet

Unequal Infrastructures, Invisible Controles, Multiple Cultures
ECREA - One Day Symposium


When and where


10 October 2007

Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Free University Brussels (Belgium), Room  
D. 2.01


Introduction


The Internet is often heralded as an open infrastructure spanning the  
entire globe. It allows for people of all nations to communicate over  
borders, to consume the growing amount of information and  
entertainment available, to participate in the multiple participatory  
platforms and web 2.0 applications. The Internet is often identified  
as the key driving force in all processes of globalization. The  
aftermath of 9/11 seems to have considerably undermined the older  
myth of the media induced 'global village'. However, when it comes to  
the Internet the 'Myth of the Global Internet' seems to be more  
resilient. There are however many issues and processes which might  
question the 'globalness' of the Internet. Access and speeds of  
networks differ considerably resulting in different uses worldwide,  
localization techniques and DRM systems construct new borders  
resulting in different Internet experiences, different governments  
hold different opinions on Internet governance, government firewalls  
keep large parts of the globe locked in filtered worlds, local uses  
of the Internet grow considerably faster than International uses,  
languages and cultures are barriers for genuine global debate.


This Symposium aims to critically reflect on the Internet as a global  
medium. It has brought together scholars who reflect critically on  
the idea of the global Internet from different perspectives.


This One-Day Symposium preceeds the ECREA Symposium 'Equal  
Opportunities and Communication Rights: Representation, Participation  
and the European Democratic Deficit' which also takes place in  
Brussels on 11 and 12 October 2007. The Symposium is organised by the  
ECREA section on International and Intercultural Communication and in  
the framework of the IBBT project Video-q-sac.




Preliminary Programme


The One Day Symposium on “The Myth of the Global Internet” is meant  
to be an occasion of exchange and debated amongst scholars whose  
research interests converge over the Internet and its future  
development. In order to promote a rich exchange of ideas, an open  
debate amongst the public and the speakers is highly envisaged. In  
order to do so each speaker will be allowed a max of 15-20 minutes to  
present her/his topic and 10-15 minutes to Q&As and debate with the  
public and the other speakers.



Welcome of Participants/public: 9:30-9:45h

Introductory Notes: 9:45-10h

Leo Van Audenhove



Keynote Speaker 10-10:30h

The Myth of the Global Internet

Andrew Calabrese

Section 1: Invisible Controls 10:30-12h

Controling space, time, speed and quality on the Internet. An  
analysis of mechanisms and instruments. 10:30-11h
Leo Van Audenhove, Luciano Morganti, John Vanhoucke,
IBBT-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Beglium)

How global is the Internet. An analysis of players and production.  
11-11:30h
Luciano Morganti, IBBT-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)

Government Control: The Internet in authoritarian states 11:30-12h
Jan Schwate, Technical University of Ilmenau (Germany)


Section 2: Unequal Infrastructures – Global Digital Divide 12-13h

Internet in the developing world. The revolution did not take place  
12-12:30h
Pascal Mbala, IBBT-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)

Contextualizing the digital divide in Latin America 12:30-13h
Concepcion Travesedo de Castilla Universidad de Malaga (Spain)



Lunch break: 13-14:30h

Section 3: Regulating the Internet 14:30-15h

Internet governance, between global infrastructure and  
multistakeholderism. 14:30-15h
Amar Lakel, Françoise Massit-Folléa, Vox Internet Research Program  
(France)


Multiple Cultures – Multiple Uses: 15-17h
Speaking of meta. Questioning the Internet as Homogeneous news  
medium. 15-15:30h
Michaël Opgenhaffen, Lessius University College (Belgium)

Cyber exclusion as global social exclusion. South-East European  
experience. 15:30-16h
Zoran Kostov, University “Sts. Cyril and Methodius” (Macedonia)

Interactivity and online newspapers of Bangladesh. 16-16:30h
Shameen Mahmud, University of Dhaka (Bangladesh)

Cultural differences reflected on the Internet. A comparison between  
Belgian and Dutch e-commerce websites 16:30-17h
Malaika Brengman, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)


Concluding Remarks 17-17:30h
Andrew Calabrese

Registration

Attending the Symposium is free, however registration is required.  
Registration is possible via the IBBT website. If required both  
speakers and attendees should search for their own accomodation.  
There is enough parking space at the university for those coming by  
car. However, you need a barcode to leave the campus grounds by car.  
Please indicate whether you will be coming by car. We will send you a  
printable bar codes a few days before the beginning of the Symposium.

Info & Registration @: http://events.ibbt.be/workshopecrea/



Contact

Leo Van Audenhove

IBBT-SMIT-VUB

leo.van.audenhove at vub.ac.be


Luciano Morganti

IBBT-SMIT-VUB

Luciano.morganti at vub.ac.be


  
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