2. Net Politics

There are many ways of creating media and communications systems and the internet is a platform for only a few of them. The internet is unique however in that its open technological standards and network structure means that content can be distributed almost limitlessly, relatively uncontrollably, and can stretch across those precious national boundaries. This has placed it in a contested zone of competing interests and attempts at control. Patrice Riemens summarises the political interests and positions that vie within the net, and goes on to provide a nicely opinionated glossary to guide us through the terminology. The short reports are just a few examples of the many initiatives and stories that illustrate or address the power struggles of the net.