Brussels Medling

Interesting story in The Times today. It seems that Brussels wants to start regulating video content on the Internet, including video blogs.

It is updating the 17-year-old Television Without Frontiers Directive and is including for the first time rules to govern “non-linear audio visual services” — video on demand and Internet broadcasting and as part of this, larger blogs.

This has prompted OfCOM, the UK media regulator, to say that the Commission’s plans are misguided. OfCOM, to give it credit – as many people just like to bash it – sees that this is a complete minefield for both the Commission and itself.

Regulation of the Internet by any organisation is seen as Big Brother style interference and in the past OfCOM has been quick to distance itself from any indication that it would take this path. Only last month it denied it was to regulate content online governing the advertising of junk food to kids and has always maintained that self-regulation is the best way forward when it comes to online media. Whether this is a kop out, a sensible approach or an admission that it simply does not have the manpower or teeth to enforced any such laws is up for debate (I am betting the latter of the three), but Brussels seems set to test the water.

Efforts are being made by James Purnell, the Broadcasting Minister to get other nations to join him in trying to change the directive, but at present the Commission is on a collision course with bloggers everywhere, although given its track record at implementing rules such as these it will no doubt come to nothing when they realise that their proposals are totally unworkable.