Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic period, I have taken advantage of continuing education opportunities from the International Telecommunications Society (ITS), and I have promoted many of its sessions on this blog. ITS serves as “a global platform for industry, policy makers and regulators to create a 360-degree view of an issue from the perspective of different regions and jurisdictions.”
I want to highlight another webinar coming up in just over 3 weeks (November 22, at 8 am Eastern). It is especially timely as the new government in Canada prepares to reintroduce legislation to regulate “Big Tech” and internet content.
The role of digital platforms and how to regulate them has become the new frontier for regulators and policy maker around the world. There is a tension between competition, choice, and consumer protection on the one hand, and innovation, investment incentives and entrepreneurial freedom on the other.
“Digital Policies – an East-West Perspective” will discuss approaches to digital platform regulation in the US, Canada, Europe, South Korea, and Japan. This webinar will highlight the most important aspects of this topic:
- Alexandre de Streel, academic co-director of CERRE and professor at Namur University, will present a European perspective;
- Seongcheol Kim, Director and professor at the School of Media and Communication, Korea University, Seoul, will share insights into the discussion in South Korea;
- Seiji Ninomiya, Director General of the Telecommunications Bureau at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Tokyo, will present Japan’s approach; and
- Michael H. Ryan, Principal at MHRyan Law (London), will provide insights on how digital policy compares in North America and Europe.
The session will be moderated by Georg Serentschy, a past chair of BEREC, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications.
Michael Ryan is a familiar name to the Canadian regulatory scene, having literally written the book on Canadian telecommunications law. It is certain to be an interesting session, of relevance to Canadians who are watching for the government’s digital legislation.
Registration is free.