Net's peace prize chance

Mar 11 2010 By The Journal

THE internet is among a record 237 individuals and organisations nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

The internet’s nomination has been championed by the Italian version of Wired magazine for helping advance "dialogue, debate and consensus".

The director of the Nobel Institute, Geir Lundestad, told BBC News that the organisation had received "thousands of nominations" for the coveted prize.

The nomination for the internet is supported by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi and the founder of the $100 laptop project Nicholas Negroponte.

Nominations can be put forward by former laureates, members of national governments and select university professors, among others. The shortlist is also thought to include Russian human rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina.