Stakeholders differ on regulating new media

Canadian broadcasters and other industry stakeholders don’t see eye to eye on whether the time has come for the CRTC to regulate Internet content. Friday’s deadline for comments on the future of Canadian broadcasting in new media garnered 59 submissions, including a call from private media to keep new media unregulated. Canadian broadcasters and other industry stakeholders don’t see eye to eye on whether the time has come for the CRTC to regulate Internet content. Friday’s deadline for comments on the future of Canadian broadcasting in new media garnered 59 submissions, including a call from private media to keep new media unregulated.Some stakeholders also called for protection of Canadian content as the CRTC explores regulating new media.The CBC/Radio- Canada in its submission, sought to correct what it calls “old assumptions” harboured by the CRTC regarding new media, arguing that it is neither displacing traditional media nor will it relieve the financial difficulties faced by conventional broadcasters.Richard Stursberg, CBC executive VP of English services, notes that while Internet use is increasingly being embraced by Canadians, it is not replacing television watching.“Viewing television on the Internet represents less than one per cent of the total time Canadians spend viewing television. In fact, Canadians watch more TV now than they did 15 years ago,” Stursberg said in a statement. While the Internet may be popular among Canadians, the CBC claims that it’s primarily used for research and communication rather than for television viewing. In addition, the public broadcaster says most professional video content on the Internet originates from traditional television. The public broadcaster said in order to ensure an accurate policy on new media, it’s important that the “misconceptions” are corrected by the CRTC. However, the CBC shied from commenting on the issue of regulation.CTVglobemedia said regulating the Internet seems impractical, but added that the competitive imbalance facing players need to be considered to ensure that Canadian broadcasters thrive. ISP companies under the umbrella of the Canadian ISP Alliance rejected calls for regulation saying new media is still in its early stages of development in Canada and that there is no rationale for regulating it since there is no evidence that it is undermining the Broadcasting Act. The call for comments was issued to examine whether it was necessary to repeal a 1999 decision by the CRTC to exempt new media from regulation. In addition, the CRTC says it is necessary to review whether the new media environment contributes effectively to the objectives of the Broadcasting Act.The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) in its submission, called on the CRTC to maintain the status quo and steer clear of regulating the Internet, arguing that to do otherwise would stifle Canada’s competitiveness. Likewise, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce said it is unnecessary to regulate the Internet since it will hamper competitiveness.The Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, a Canadian content watchdog for radio and television, said a Canadian presence must be an integral part of new media, and questioned whether market forces alone can ensure this.“The Commission should therefore examine what level of Canadian programming has developed in this market forces’ environment,” said a CAB statement.However, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) said the “assumption that the Internet is beyond regulatory control” is incorrect and has been pedalled to serve the interests of large new media companies. APTN called for an “appropriate” regulation that would serve the public interest.

Stakeholders differ on regulating new media

Broadcast | July 14, 2008

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