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The CRTC commissioned Eli Noam, director of the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information and an expert in telecommunications policy, to come up with policy options for new media, including internet and cellphone broadcasting. In his report called "TV or Not TV: Three Screens, One Regulation?", he concludes that new media broadcasting should have the same regulatory treatment as TV broadcasting.
The report suggests a funding mechanism for Canadian content on new media that is similar to the Canadian Television Fund, which combines public and private funding to support Canadian content on TV. Canada also has a $14.5 million New Media Fund and a Canadian Culture Online program for Canadian content online.
Noam, however, recommends a new fund backed by a levy on internet service providers (ISPs) and by a spectrum fund that would force telecommunication companies to contribute towards content.
Noam explains that " 'this public funding would be created by a combination of public funds; an excise tax on ISPs and carriers that would be harmonized with the existing levy on cable and satellite TV providers, and the use of spectrum sales revenues into a special trust fund.' "
The report recommends a harmonization of rules for broadcasting on TV, and over the internet and cellphones. While Noam would not impose new rules over content, he would ask ISPs, telecommunication companies and broadcasters to be self-regulating in what they put on their screens.
Noam points out the difficulty of regulating websites such as YouTube, which has rules prohibiting pornography and violence, but still allows users to post videos themselves.
Government agencies would be involved in regulating content only when it breaks the law, such as with hate speech.
In addition, Noam sees a role for the public broadcaster as a provider of content for the internet.
To read Eli Noam's entire report, click here.
Sources: CBC.ca, 09/09/2008, Mediacaster, 09/09/2008
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