Newly appointed Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has an opportunity to change course
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.First, the changes to the Broadcasting Act would treat user-generated content as akin to other types of media and allow bureaucrats to control the feeds on sites such as YouTube.
Had the government listened to the experts, it could have proposed regulations that promoted Canadian content while leaving user-generated content untouched, as has been done in the European Union.24 hour takedown requirements when potentially harmful content is flagged. Companies could face million-dollar fines if they fail to act in less than a day.Article content
Experts warn such tight deadlines and high financial penalties will create a culture of fear, with social media giants removing “vast quantities of lawful content” just to avoid potential financial liability. According to experts at the University of Ottawa, the government’s flawed proposals “will jeopardize Canada’s claim to being a leader in advancing free expression … and the human rights upon which our democratic society has been built.
If the government wants to actually deliver thoughtful and tailored reforms, Rodriguez needs to actually listen to experts and ordinary Canadians. The government needs to take seriously the very real concerns held by organizations that will be significantly impacted by their new rules. So far, the government hasWhile many will try to pressure Rodriguez to simply revive the government’s old legislation and jam it through Parliament, the government would badly damage our democracy in the process.
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