CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein delivered an address on Monday to the annual convention of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB).
Populist drivel found in the comments section of various news media websites points to the irrelevance of regulators; how they just don’t understand the new era of an internet-enabled world. Such views are flawed and overly simplistic.
The address from the Chair made note of the impact of new media and the CRTC’s upcoming new media hearings:
New Media puts the users in control. They can watch what they want, when they want––in whatever form is most convenient. New Media offers exciting new ways of delivering news, information, entertainment, drama, music––and advertising.
These are innovations of great potential. They also carry major implications for the broadcasting industry that we will have to examine.
New Media operates outside the regulated routes of access to the communications system, so it is free of regulatory requirements, restrictions and licensing. Yet it unquestionably delivers broadcasting content. We will be addressing the role of New Media in the Canadian broadcasting universe during our public hearing in February.
The address contains insights into the philosophy and 3 principles that guided the CRTC in approaching its recent major policy framework reviews: simplification, coherence and calibration.
These principles can be expected to be applied in upcoming proceedings as well.