The convergence of broadcasting, telecoms and technology means that, as consumers, we are no longer passive recipients of content and information – we access content when we want to and on multiple devices. We interact with it, share it with our friends, and even create and distribute content ourselves.

Consequently, the traditional ways of regulating the media are being severely challenged. The old ‘command and control’ style of regulation may have been effective with a handful of media companies who broadcast to the mass public on a published schedule, but it is no longer appropriate in regulating an infinite number of  (often amateur) service providers, who offer non-linear, on-demand content.  What’s more, research shows that consumers do not expect the same degree of regulatory protection in ‘new media’ environments as in more traditional settings.

Industry, government and the communications regulator, Ofcom, are therefore having increasingly to think of new ways of regulating the media while continuing to ensure that users are well informed and safe. Increasingly, the debate suggests that self- and co-regulatory schemes, coupled with the promotion of media literacy, are the most effective and efficient approaches.

This theory has been put fully to the test in the ongoing review of the Television without Frontiers Directive, where the heated debate about how best to regulate new forms of television has revealed how important but difficult this issue is.

As a neutral body and with members across the broadband value chain, the BSG has been well placed to host many of these debates:

• we provide a focal point for UK industry to discuss, and respond to the Television without Frontiers review, co-ordinating with organisations across Europe to communicate our arguments to MEPs and the Commission.
• as Chair of the UK Co- and Self-regulatory Forum, BSG is able to facilitate the ongoing debate between industry, regulators and policy makers about the evolution of the self- and co-regulatory environment.
• at the encouragement of Ofcom, BSG is leading a cross-industry group to develop a common approach to content labelling, which will form part of the co-regulatory response to TV without Frontiers.
• improving media literacy goes hand in hand with reforms in media regulation and BSG therefore works with other stakeholders to develop a coherent approach to media literacy and digital inclusion.

www.audiovisualcontent.org

BSG Working Group on Content Information  

Audiovisual Media Services Directive (TVWF) Issue page 

BSG Working Group on Audiovisual Media Services Directive (TVWF)  

BSG response to European Commission Content Online consultation