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Internet Regulation would Squelch Innovation, Says CRTC

4:13 pm on June 6, 2009 | Category: Internet, Regulation, Telecom Services

The CRTC decided this week that it will not attempt to regulate new media content, and will maintain its current hands-off attitude to the internet for at least another five years.

CRTC regulators have held public hearings on the matter in recent months at the behest of Canadian labour and arts groups, including the National Film Board (NFB). These groups argued for new rules giving preferential treatment to Canadian media content. The CRTC already enforces content quotas for TV and radio, but determined that extending such rules to the internet would hamper innovation.

“While broadcasting in new media is growing in importance, we do not believe that regulatory intervention is necessary at this time,” explained CRTC chairman, Konrad von Finckenstein, in the administrative ruling. “Internet and mobile services are acting in a complementary fashion to the traditional broadcasting system. Any intervention on our part would only get in the way of innovation.”

Von Finckenstein did endorse the NFB’s idea of a national new media strategy, however, stating that “such a strategy is essential if [Canada] want[s] to maintain a competitive advantage in this global environment.”

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