TV Without Frontiers directive threat to vidcasts
Iain Dale mentioned today the threat his new web TV site, 18 Doughty Street, faces from the Television Without Frontiers directive - a directive that is ill considered and unenforceable, don’t forget that there’s always a way on the web.
Don’t worry, according to The Times Shaun Woodward is on the case.
In our interview with Iain Dale last week we warned him about this, he said (20 mins in) “Well the EU can talk about a lot of things, if they seriously start regulating the internet then we’ll have a Soviet style system, which some think we have already.” - Luckily Dale’s got a backup plan - move the channel to Sky!
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:09 pm
The threat is that the revised “Television Without Frontiers” Directive legislation will create legal uncertainty because it directly overlaps with other legislation (currently in place within each member state) and is to vague to establish clear direction. Furthermore, self-regulation schemes should be encouraged instead of more regulation related to the broadcasting and advertising scope of new interactive services. Currently there is no industry standard for advertising on emerging platforms such as video content and video on demand – will the new legislation establish limits before the market can determine the best balance between user experience and monetary contribution?
It is a matter of Dark Matter Politics when regulation ordained by the European Union preludes the opportunity for the market, through testing and self regulation, to determine the best way of managing new emerging technologies. Furthermore, the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive may not only stifle the growth of interactive content in Europe but take precedence over the choices and legislations of each member state.