Citizens’ Forum On Internet Regulation

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) and the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) have held a Citizen’s Forum to discover the views of the public on the regulation of the internet. The research was carried out in Birmingham in order to help inform their own policies in relation to online broadcasting.

From 1-2 October Birmingham residents of all ages were asked their views on what kind of regulation, if any, there should be on internet content. Expert witnesses from both sides of the argument including representatives from America OnLine, the Data Protection Register, the Internet Watch Foundation and the Campaign Against Censorship of the Internet in Britain, presented their cases and invited questions. Small groups then discussed the issues before making a final decision.

There is no current regulation of television programmes broadcast over the Net. Under the Broadcasting Act the Commission is responsible for moving pictures which are transmitted from the internet via a television set. When convergence between the two platforms becomes the norm, viewers will constantly switch between regulated and unregulated media. Specific guidelines are necessary then to transfer the present programme and advertising codes to the new technology.

The ITC will publish the results of its research later this year, but in the meantime will produce a consultation document laying down the issues involved as a step towards greater regulation.

Independent Television Commission: 0171 306 7743