BThe EBU has welcomed the NetMundial summit’s final document, which points out some important principles to be applied to future internet governance, in particular making the public interest a top priority.

Attending the summit in São Paulo, Brazil, on behalf of the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU), the EBU also commended the text’s insistence of the protection of certain rights, including privacy, cultural and linguistic diversity and the rights of content creators, all of which are essential to public service media.

However, the statement does not take a stand on net neutrality, the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat equivalent types of Internet data equally, whatever their source, content or destination. Instead, it is listed as one of four points needing “better understanding and further discussion in appropriate fora”.  

EBU Head of Institutional Relations Giacomo Mazzone, who was among the 800 delegates from national governments, civil society, business, academia and media, said: “In her opening keynote address (Brazilian President) Dilma Rousseff hailed the new Marco Civil law in Brazil, which was approved on the eve of NetMundial, which enshrines net neutrality as a key principle and sets citizens’ interests as the compass for any global regulation of the internet. This is the way things need to continue, even if there was no consensus here in São Paulo on some of the most controversial issues.”

He added: “European public service media and the world’s broadcasting community are committed to an open, transparent and innovative internet because ensuring access to PSM services online is essential for the public interest, media pluralism and cultural diversity.”

EBU Head of Public Affairs Nicola Frank said: “While the recent European Parliament vote to protect net neutrality was good news for European consumers, the EU should ensure it stays the course and enshrines the principle in law. If EU Member States approve the improvements made by the European Parliament to the draft EU Regulation covering net neutrality, the EU will then be in a stronger position to defend the open Internet in international fora.”