In an Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) event held in Brussels on 14 June, Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, expressed again her position to support the EC proposal to revise the Television Without Frontiers (TVWF) Directive.
"There will be no regulation of the Internet," Mrs. Reding told ZDNet UK stating that the extension of the Directive is supposed to provide basic rules to protect minors online, and to prevent incitement to hatred and over-repeated advertising.
The Commissioner also said that the proposed provisions are only basic tier rules and self-regulation can be supported better by a legal framework. The Government would intervene only when self-regulation does not work.
While the Commissioner considers the Directive will be beneficial to the Internet business, the industry and the Internet community expressed concern that the Directive would lead to the regulation of the content on the Internet.
The Confederation of British Industry thinks that the Directive will "stifle economic growth, inhibit job creation and hamper the development of digital content and services across the EU". Other representatives of the Industry such as Microsoft, Google or Verizon expressed concerns regarding the scope of the legislation and the problem of jurisdiction and enforcement. They believe the already existing legislation is enough and efficient in protecting children and consumers and that self-regulation is the right solution.
Professor Michael Rotert, president of the European Internet Service Providers Association (EuroISPA), considers the Directive as a regulation of the Internet "through the backdoor" and thinks: "Regulated self-regulation will be misused immediately, when it comes into practice".
Europe defends online broadcasting plans (15.06.2006)
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/0,39020645,39275180,00.htm
FAQ: EC Proposes to Modernise 'Television Without Frontiers' Directive
(22.05.2006)
http://uk.ihs.com/news-06Q2/eu-en-modern-tv.jsp
EDRI-gram Draft Audiovisual Media Services Directive under criticism
(24.05.2006)
http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number4.10/audiovisual