Should the Net be regulated? CRTC hearing
p2pnet news view | P2P | Politics:- Many elements of the mainstream print and electronic media tend to see the Net as an unfortunate bump in the road to their continuing control of how data and information are distributed the Great Unwashed, and what kind of materials shall be imparted.
The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) is now apparently trying to decide whether or not it should be in charge of regulating content.
During its election coverage, p2pnet quoted Canada Online, the Canadian Internet Project (CIP) as stating we continue to be among the world’s most frequent and heaviest Internet users.
Four out of five Canadians 12 years and older currently go online.
In short, penetration levels are high and increasing, “particularly among traditionally marginalized social groups,” says the study, going on »»»
- Internet penetration levels in Canada increased from 72% to 78% from 2004 to 2007
- 95% of students, 87% of employed citizens and 47% of retired individuals use the Internet
- Age is strongly related to Internet adoption — the younger the individual, the more likely she/he is to be online
- Internet use is almost universal among those 12-17 years of age (96%)
- While 22% of adult parents (18+) do not use the Internet, many of them report having youth aged12-17 in their households who use the Internet (87%), as well as children aged 11 or younger who use it (21%)
Half of Canadian citizens 60 years and older are also online (51%), exceeding national adoption levels for all ages in many other countries around the world, says the CIP report.
Now, the CRTC is, “trying to establish a role for itself in the regulation of what Canadians can and should be able to see over the internet similar to the way the commission regulates what Canadians can see over Canadian radio and television,” says Digital Home.
“Today, high-speed Internet access has been adopted by most Canadians, new technologies and applications are offering high-quality broadcasting content, and Canadians are spending more time accessing this type of content over the Internet and mobile devices,” the regulator said yesterday in a statement, says the story.
The hearings, “could result in in the overturning of a 1999 decision that exempted from regulation broadcasters that distribute their video content over the Internet,” it says.
In addition, the CRTIC will re-examine a 2007 decision which, “took a hands off approach to broadcasters and wireless companies who were sending video through cellphones and other mobile devices,” says Digital Home, adding
“In a written statement this week, the federal bureaucrats said the review was required now because Canadians are now spending more time watching video over the internet and mobile devices. The Commission, therefore, wishes to consult on the ‘the appropriateness of the Commission’s exemption orders for new media and mobile broadcasting services’.”
Does this suggest the CRTC also wants to take on the role of Website Watchdog?
Not according to Toronto consultant Alan Sawyer who, says the Canadian Press, did a study for the CRTC on TV content on the web and how Canadians watch it.
The CRTC is expected to take a commercial focus and won’t look at what individuals are doing, he says.
The CRTC would, ” likely look at broadcasters in Canada and what kind of content they’re putting on their sites and at aggregating services that make TV shows available to be watched over the Internet,” the story has him saying, adding: ”Although Sawyer did not advocate regulation such as Canadian content on commercial websites, he said Canadian culture and the Canadian entertainment industry need to be preserved and be able to flourish on the Internet and that could take incentives.
” ‘If left unchecked, the Internet does have the potential to do severe damage to our cultural industries as they are today,’ said Sawyer’.”
election coverage – Harper or Layton? Online P2P Power can decide, October 11, 2008
Digital Home – CRTC initiates proceedings into its regulation of the Internet, October 16, 2008
Canadian Press – Agency reviews policy of not regulating Internet, mobile content, October 16, 2008
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October 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I hate Canadian content protection laws.
Piss off and leave my internet alone. I look at sites if I’m intrested in them, despite whatever country they are from. It’s bad enough that I’m forced to watch sub-par TV shows and listen to some shitty songs on the radio just because they are “Canadian”.
October 17th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
well.. at this rate the crtc wont make a decision on net neutrality for a while, or at least until the fat cheques arrives.