In the classic political film The Candidate, Robert Redford plays a progressive contender running with an increasingly vague message of change. When he wins his long-shot race, Redford turns to his campaign manager and blurts out the film’s closing line: ”What do we do now”? Today, President-elect Barack Obama finds himself in a similar position. Millions of people around the world have used his inspirational candidacy as an ink blot test for their hopes and aspirations. Can these expectations be conceivably met? I will focus on one area, the communications, media and internet field. The Obama campaign established a Technology Policy Committee that numbered over 400 people. Not surprisingly given its size, its position paper was lengthy but largely innocuous: it favours such bland goals as privacy, science education, innovation, US international competitiveness, fair trade, pro-diversity in content, etc. Where Obama supporters must have clashed, such as in intellectual property or sexual content over the internet, the position paper has it both ways. The main instance of tackling controversy is a pro-“net neutrality” position, which favours the non-discriminatory use by internet companies and users of the telecom and cable infrastructure. That conflict has been poisoning things in the communications sector, pitting the infrastructure companies of the telecom and cable industries against the internet applications companies and free speech advocates. Now, with the election over, there is great hope that the new administration will take on the problems of the media and communications sector. Let us start by pouring some cold water. [read more]