E.U. tries to block internet video


The U.K. is fighting to preserve freedom
Remember, governments are threatened by that which they can not control. Here's the story.

The European Commission proposal would require websites and mobile phone services that feature video images to conform to standards laid down in Brussels.

Ministers fear that the directive would hit not only successful sites such as YouTube but also amateur “video bloggers” who post material on their own sites. Personal websites would have to be licensed as a “television-like service”.

Viviane Reding, the Media Commissioner, argues that the purpose is simply to set minimum standards on areas such as advertising, hate speech and the protection of children.

But Shaun Woodward, the Broadcasting Minister, described the draft proposal as catastrophic. He said: “Supposing you set up a website for your amateur rugby club, uploaded some images and added a link advertising your local sports shop. You would then be a supplier of moving images and need to be licensed and comply with the regulations.”

The draft rules, known as the Television Without Frontiers directive, extend the definition of broadcasting to cover services such as video-on-demand or mobile phone clips.
Ministers argue that while television programmes should be subject to minimum standards, the content of websites should not be subject to EU regulation.

Three cheers for the U.K. for fighting this.

Notice that the "reasons" include preventing hate speech and protecting children, those time-tested methods to attack freedom of expression.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Tue - October 17, 2006 at 04:32 AM  Tag


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