The chairman of the Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) admitted that the federal bill currently in Parliament would give him the power to regulate home videos broadcast on digital platforms such as YouTube.
But Ian Scott predicts that this control will not happen, as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has no interest in overseeing this online content.
Critics of the federal online broadcasting bill were quick to take Mr. Scott’s statements, saying they contradicted the assurances given so far by the Minister of Heritage.
Pablo Rodriguez has always maintained that the bill will not provide the CRTC the power to regulate user-generated content such as cat videos.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on the study of supply Wednesday night in Ottawa, Mr. Scott admitted, in response to questions from a Conservative MP, that in its current form, the Liberal government is actually will allow CRTC to organize, if applicable, user -generated content.
Bill C-11, currently in Parliament, will provide CRTC the power to regulate not only traditional broadcasters, but also online platforms such as YouTube, Netflix and Spotify. This will require digital platforms to promote Canadian content, including movies, music videos and television shows, and contribute financially to their creation.
The truth is finally on the table
Scott Benzie, CEO of Digital First Canadastood that the president of CRTC just confirmed what the digital creators have been saying since the bill was released. They warned that the regulator would have the power to interfere with their work, including the publications of comedians, animators and players on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Twitch.
Benzie accused the federal government of being deceitful by saying the bill would not affect user -generated content.
” It was exciting to see that the truth was finally on the table. The bill covers everyone. Once the CRTC has these powers, it’s really hard to go back. “
Mr. Rodriguez said in a statement that in Bill C-11, we ask online broadcasters who benefit from Canadian culture to contribute. Canadians and their content are not included. Weather.
The Minister added that the decisions of CRTC ay transparent and open to public participation.
Compare that to YouTube’s 26 million videos deleted last year with little oversight and transparency-and no public accountability.said the Minister.
On Wednesday, in front of the Commons committee, the president of CRTC should have a higher level of confidence about the future actions of the organization, explaining that in 50 years of broadcasting regulation, the CRTC is nothing never interfered with individual content.
Scott’s five -year term as president will end in September, and the federal government is already accepting applications for his position, with a salary of up to $ 328,000 a year. Job posting is looking for experience in digital media, broadcasting or telecommunications.
ang CRTC was criticized for its lack of expertise in regulating the digital sphere, a statement by Mr Scott, when asked about it in committee, has been strongly disputed.
The intention of the bill
The regulator said in a statement after Mr Scott’s appearance that as currently outlined, the bill draws a distinction between social media users and the platforms themselves. This is clear for CRTC that the purpose of the bill is to exclude individual users from the regulation.
ang CRTC added that the content itself may be subject to some regulatory oversight, but in some particularly limited circumstancesfor example if it generates revenue, is available on other platforms such as television and categorized by a unique identifier assigned overseas.
The statement says that if the CRTC chooses to place regulations, they must be designed to achieve the policy objectives of the Broadcasting Act.
YouTube warned at a national culture summit earlier this month that the bill, as outlined, would provide CRTC the ability to track daily posted videos for other users to watch.
The streaming bill contains a clause that is not included in settlement videos uploaded by one user for other users to view.
Subsequent qualification clauses state that CRTC can make regulations related to programswhich YouTube says will give the regulator discretion and ability to handle a wide range of digital content, including home videos.
Jeanette Patell of YouTube Canada said in a statement: We heard from the government that they have no intention of regulating user-generated content (UGC), but the chairman of CRTC has been confirmed TOS still remains in the text of the bill.
” Our simple request is that they resolve this inconsistency and include specific language in the bill to exclude TOS of the regulation of CRTCto protect the thousands of Canadian creators who make money on digital platforms. “
YouTube reports that the number of content creators in Canada earning more than $ 100,000 a year on its platform is growing every year.
Michael Geist, professor who holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and Electronic Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, also believes user-generated content is not included in the bill.
Mr. Scott’s statements confirm what is quite obvious to anyone who has taken the time to read the bill.said Mr. Geist.
The door is open for CRTC establish regulations on user content, including discovery rules that could harm Canadian digital creators. There are good reasons why no other country in the world regulates user content in this way.he argued.
Source: Radio-Canada