Content Futures

The rise of content and media intermediaries as digital gate-keepers raises major policy and regulation concerns. IIC members agree that consumer choice offers benefits. Does the trend towards non-bundled offers in pay TV threaten diversity, and what concerns remain for some types of content: national content in smaller markets, local reporting in larger markets? And, if regulation does create a level playing field between OTTs and telcos, will demand for local content naturally emerge and reward local players?

MTN Group drives innovative rural coverage using OpenRAN technology

Africa: The mobile operator MTN has announced that it has deployed over 200 commercial rural sites across its footprint, using OpenRAN technology.

Wednesday, 20 November 2019

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Key speakers on Content Futures

Talks on Content Futures

US states embark on competition investigations of Google and Facebook
Attorneys generals for 50 US states and territories have announced an antitrust investigation of Google, embarking on a wide-ranging review of a tech giant that Democrats and Republicans said may threaten competition, consumers and the continued growth of the web, reports the Washington Post.
5G broadcasting action group gets underway
The 5G Media Action Group (5G-MAG), a new association designed to give the media industry a voice in the 5G debate, has elected its first steering group and chair at the association’s inaugural general assembly on 16 October.
A responsible internet
Privacy, safety, security and etiquette in an era of big data and disruptive technology.
Agreement reached on European TV copyright
European negotiators have reached a political agreement on proposed copyright legislation on TV and radio programmes. The new rules will make it easier for European broadcasters to make certain programmes available on their live TV or catch-up services online, and will simplify the distribution of more radio and TV channels by retransmission operators.
Apple takeover of Shazam approved by the European Commission
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Shazam by Apple. The commission concluded that the merger would not adversely affect competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.
Australia reaches preliminary views on digital platforms
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has published preliminary recommendations in its digital platforms inquiry, which is covering Google, Facebook and the Australian news and advertising industries. The report contains 11 preliminary recommendations and eight areas for further analysis as the inquiry continues.
Australian video consumption “transforming the communications landscape” says ACMA report
Australians’ ever-increasing appetite for data-hungry video services is transforming the communications landscape, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Communications report 2017–18.
BBC director-general calls for updated regulation
BBC director-general Tony Hall has called for streamers and broadcasters to face the same regulation and highlighted what he says is the greater reach of the “pubcaster” compared with online rivals like Netflix, C21Media reports.
Briefing paper: Artificial Intelligence: Why does it matter? What do policy makers in the TMT sector need to think about?
An IIC briefing paper: Artificial Intelligence: Why does it matter? What do policy makers in the TMT sector need to think about?
Broadcasting in flux
Convergence opportunities and challenges in a connected TV environment.

Blogs on Content Futures

I have seen the convening power of the IIC at work
IIC sponsored co-operation resulted in valuable satellite education projects around the world
Internet Companies can help children, and themselves
There has been much discussion recently about the obligations of major internet players, particularly social media networks, to make more strenuous efforts to monitor the activity on their platforms. Welcome as they are, however many moderators the social networks hire, the idea that they can provide full protection for children is no more realistic than suggesting that we place police officers on the corner of every street.
When is content local?
With more programming accessible to global audiences, we need to decide what we mean by local content.
Why the technology debate cannot be left to experts
The potential of AI will only be realised with proper public consent

Regulatory Watch articles on Content Futures

WRC-19: New milestones agreed for non-geostationary satellite deployment
WRC-19: Agreement has been reached on a new milestone-based approach for the deployment of non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) systems.
MTN Group drives innovative rural coverage using OpenRAN technology
Africa: The mobile operator MTN has announced that it has deployed over 200 commercial rural sites across its footprint, using OpenRAN technology.
Singapore Unveils New AI Framework for Financial Institutions
Regulation Asia reports that the MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) has announced the launch of a new collaboration with the financial industry to create an artificial intelligence framework for financial institutions. This comes as the new National Artificial Intelligence strategy was announced by Singapore’s deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat at the Singapore FinTech Festival and Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology (SFF x SWITCH) 2019.
South African operators cooperate with government on fibre connectivity
Seven telecoms companies in South Africa have signed a cooperation agreement with the government outlining guiding principles for conduct within the fibre-based connectivity sector, notes Business Report.
5G broadcasting action group gets underway
The 5G Media Action Group (5G-MAG), a new association designed to give the media industry a voice in the 5G debate, has elected its first steering group and chair at the association’s inaugural general assembly on 16 October.
US states embark on competition investigations of Google and Facebook
Attorneys generals for 50 US states and territories have announced an antitrust investigation of Google, embarking on a wide-ranging review of a tech giant that Democrats and Republicans said may threaten competition, consumers and the continued growth of the web, reports the Washington Post.
Singapore launches digital industry and cybersecurity initiatives
Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore and the regulator, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), have joined forces to establish Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), to better support and capitalise on the growth opportunities for Singapore’s technology sector.
UN reports on surveillance software and human rights
The Citizen Lab, based at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto, has commented on two reports issued by United Nations Special Rapporteurs “that demonstrate the dangerous effects of unchecked technology in the hands of autocrats”...
Social media can combat extremist groups – report
Removing extremist groups from social media is an effective way of destroying their fan bases, according to a study by the Global Research Network on Terrorism and Technology. As the National reports, the researchers found that radical groups do not necessarily thrive on alternative platforms once they have been removed from the mainstream.
European Commission embarks on pilot phase in AI ethics
The European Commission has launched the pilot phase of its ethics guidelines for trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI). At the first AI Alliance Assembly, held in Brussels, the High-Level Expert Group on AI announced two developments, including an assessment list for trustworthy AI, developed by a group of 52 independent experts.
Opportunity to act on facial recognition technology may be lost in the US
An article in Wired notes that after revelations about how law enforcement agencies in the US have deployed facial recognition, “Congress seemed, for a moment, galvanised to act".
Ofcom issues public service broadcasting measures
Ofcom, the UK regulator, has announced a range of measures “to ensure that public service broadcasters (PSBs) continue to deliver high-quality content for UK viewers and listeners”.
ITU defines OTT and issues policy and regulatory framework recommendation
The ITU has approved a recommendation addressing the relationship between network operators and providers of over the top (OTT) applications. It says recommendation ITU-T D.262 “provides parameters for the analysis of the new economic dynamics of the ICT ecosystem and how policy and regulatory frameworks could promote competition, consumer protection, consumer benefits, dynamic innovation, sustainable investment and infrastructure development, accessibility and affordability in relation to the global growth of OTTs”.
Digital rights and fake news laws passed in Russia
Russian lawmakers have established “digital rights” in domestic law as the basis for the digital economy, and have also introduced a package of bills to tackle fake news, reports the Global Legal Post.
BBC director-general calls for updated regulation
BBC director-general Tony Hall has called for streamers and broadcasters to face the same regulation and highlighted what he says is the greater reach of the “pubcaster” compared with online rivals like Netflix, C21Media reports.
Google pushes back against competition concerns in Australia
Google has rejected calls by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for tougher scrutiny of its operations, denying that it enjoys market power in online searches and advertising, Reuters reports.
Australian video consumption “transforming the communications landscape” says ACMA report
Australians’ ever-increasing appetite for data-hungry video services is transforming the communications landscape, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Communications report 2017–18.
Hard hitting UK report on fake news focuses on Facebook
The final report in the UK of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee’s 18-month investigation into disinformation and fake news has accused Facebook of purposefully obstructing its inquiry and failing to tackle attempts by Russia to manipulate elections, reports the Guardian.
Streaming video market puts pressure on traditional broadcasters
There will be more than 777 million global streaming video on demand (SVOD) subscriptions by 2023, more than double from 2017, according to Ooyala’s latest State of the Broadcast Industry 2019 report, which also found that the momentum only stands to increase.
The internet is fragmenting into four entities
A recent paper by British academics from Southampton University claims that the internet is splitting into four distinct governance entities. They say that the internet is a fragile construction of hardware, software, standards and databases and is run by an ever-expanding range of private and public actors constrained only by voluntary protocols and subject to political pressure.
Self-regulation code for video streaming in India gets mixed support
Most online video streaming platforms in India have agreed to a code of self-regulation that may receive endorsement from the country’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry, reports the Economic Times.
Agreement reached on European TV copyright
European negotiators have reached a political agreement on proposed copyright legislation on TV and radio programmes. The new rules will make it easier for European broadcasters to make certain programmes available on their live TV or catch-up services online, and will simplify the distribution of more radio and TV channels by retransmission operators.
OTT services to overtake cinema box office
A tipping point in the global entertainment industry is set to occur in 2019 with revenues from subscription over the top (OTT) services exceeding cinema box office, according to a study from Ampere Analysis.
Australia reaches preliminary views on digital platforms
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has published preliminary recommendations in its digital platforms inquiry, which is covering Google, Facebook and the Australian news and advertising industries. The report contains 11 preliminary recommendations and eight areas for further analysis as the inquiry continues.
France’s president calls for internet governance reform
The 2018 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) held in Paris recently saw the first appearance at the annual event of a UN secretary general, and also a speech by Emmanuel Macron, in which he said the internet is “profoundly threatened” by cyber attacks, hate speech and disinformation, and by the internet giants.
EU sets out artificial intelligence plan amid concerns
The European Commission (EC) has published a plan prepared with member states to foster the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe. It focuses on four areas: increasing investment, making more data available, fostering talent and ensuring trust.
Revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive adopted in Europe
On 6 November 2018, the Council of the European Union formally adopted the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), reports Lexology. “This closes a long, and at some moments, tense and conflictual process started in May 2016,...
French president speaks out on the internet and democracy
French president Emmanuel Macron has insisted that new laws are needed to limit and protect online content and the internet itself, reports the Register. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Paris, Macron made repeated calls for additional regulation, and complained about the “false alternative” of self-regulation or government control.
California sued over reinstatement of net neutrality rules
It was only going to be a matter of time, but the telco industry is taking California to court over the decision to reinstate net neutrality rules, reports Telecoms.com.
Platforms submit roadmaps for EU’s code of practice to fight online disinformation
Online platforms and the advertising industry have sent individual roadmaps to European commissioner for digital economy and society, Mariya Gabriel, which will put in practice a self-regulatory code of practice to fight online disinformation, which was published on 26 September 2018.
Data traffic in India cools scope of OTT consultation
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided to reduce the scope of consultation for the proposed regulatory framework for over the top (OTT) platforms such as WhatsApp and Skype, according to a report by Live Mint.
Policy recommendations for platform liability for illegal material
A report from the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE), “Liability of online hosting platforms: should exceptionalism end?”, explores whether online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube benefit from a “liability free pass”.
UK plans social media regulation; Ofcom publishes digital dependency research
UK ministers have started drafting proposals for new laws to regulate social media and the internet, according to the Daily Telegraph. “The move has been prompted by widespread consumer concerns over a range of online harms including child abuse, bullying, fake news and internet addiction.
Global mobile trends from the GSMA
GSMA Intelligence has published its third annual Global Mobile Trends report. Key takeaways include that the next generation of internet users will be mobile only. By 2025, 3.7 billion people – 72% of the global internet base – will be accessing the internet exclusively via mobile.
Apple takeover of Shazam approved by the European Commission
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Shazam by Apple. The commission concluded that the merger would not adversely affect competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.
Europe moves ahead with copyright law
Controversial new copyright laws have been approved by members of the European Parliament, with changes made since July when the first version of the copyright directive was voted down. But critics say it remains problematic, reports the BBC.
Q&A with Madeleine de Cock Buning
Professor Madeleine de Cock Buning Chairs the High Level Expert Group advising the EU Commission on Fake News and online disinformation and is Chair of The Regulatory Authority to the Media in the Netherlands.
Call for OTT TV regulation in Africa
Spooked by Netflix’s growing popularity among African viewers, the continent’s largest television operator wants the disruptor to be regulated, reports Quartz Africa. “This call for regulation is a common call from established monopolies who find their grip on a local market challenged by a tech disruptor, and MultiChoice is no different.
UK ISPs back new rules for internet platforms
Three major internet service providers in the UK have said they would back a regulator to oversee rules for web giants – but warned lawmakers not to forget smaller firms or the bigger picture, reports the Register.
Malaysian minister receptive to reform of comms act and content
A human rights campaigner has urged the Malaysian government to form a taskforce of officials and concerned citizens for discussions on changes to the Communications and Multimedia Act, reports Free Malaysia Today.
Germany’s Monopolies Commission makes proposals on algorithms and media
Germany’s Monopolies Commission in its latest biennial report says that digital change requires legal adjustments regarding price algorithms and the media sector.
Germany’s Monopolies Commission makes proposals on algorithms and media (Copy)
Germany’s Monopolies Commission in its latest biennial report says that digital change requires legal adjustments regarding price algorithms and the media sector.
Germany’s regulator wants platforms on a level playing field
Germany’s top telecoms regulator has set its sights on US technology groups such as Google and Facebook, insisting that providers of messaging and email services should be regulated just like ordinary telecoms companies, reports the Financial Times.
Ofcom takes aim at social media
The chief executive of UK regulator Ofcom, Sharon White, has warned regulatory action may be on its way for social media sites that publish news, in a move that brings the platform or publisher debate to the fore.
Q&A with Stuart Cunningham
Stuart Cunningham, Professor of Media and Communications, Queensland University of Technology
Canada’s regulator publishes broadcasting report; minister launches 5G plan
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has published a digital report on the future of broadcasting in Canada. The report proposes new tools and regulatory approaches to support the production and promotion of audio and video content made by and for Canadians.
Egypt’s law on ‘false information’ raises concerns
Activists and journalists are concerned that a law passed by Egypt's parliament allows President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi's government to punish press outlets and social media users for publishing “false information”, notes Deutsche Welle.
Cambodian government takes on ‘fake news’
The Cambodian government will monitor all news and social networking sites with immediate effect, “to prevent the spread of information that can cause social chaos and threaten national security”, reports the Phnom Penh Post.
France’s Arcep recommends not renewing its regulation of digital TV
Arcep, France’s regulator, has issued its “scoreboard and outlook” document for public consultation, which traditionally marks the start of a new round of market analysis,...
US seeks to modernise children’s broadcasting rules
The US FCC is proposing to modernise children’s TV rules in a move that is needed now more than ever, according to an article in the Washington Examiner.
European parliament vote on copyright alarms internet activists
A European parliament committee has voted for legislation that internet pioneers fear will turn the web into “a tool for surveillance and control”, reports the Guardian.
Facebook comes under fire for flagging journalism as ‘political’
An ”archive of ads with political content”, which Facebook made public in May, has become the latest contested piece of territory between platforms and publishers, writes Emily Bell in the Guardian.
Ecuador: a cautionary tale for media regulators
An article by Anya Schiffrin in Policy Syndicate considers that for more than a decade, Ecuadorian journalists have increasingly felt the effects of repressive media and speech laws that were supposedly enacted in the "public interest”.
UK lawmakers start internet regulation inquiry
The UK House of Lords Communications Committee has invited contributions to an inquiry on the regulation of the internet, under which the Committee will explore how the regulation of the internet should be improved, and whether specific regulation is required or whether the existing law is adequate.
European working party takes on social media
Working Party 29 (WP29), the group that unites European data protection authorities, has announced “its full support” for investigations by national privacy authorities into the collection and use of personal data by and through social media.
Challenges for public service media
The Nordic Information Centre for Media and Communication Research (Nordicom) has published Public Service Media in the Networked Society, a collection of papers on the role of public sector media.
UAE releases media activity regulations
The National Media Council (NMC), the federal authority tasked with supervising all media activities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has recently issued electronic media activity regulations, notes law firm Clyde&Co.
The impact of the GDPR
On 25 May the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force for the 28 member states, but the impact is already far wider as the regulation affects any organisation that keeps data on an EU citizen, which includes all the global internet giants.
Canada readies emergency alert system on smartphones
A system to alert Canadians to natural disasters and other public safety emergencies via their smartphones is another step closer to reality, reports the Financial Post.
European Commission publishes report on fake news and disinformation
The European Commission’s high-level expert group on fake news and disinformation spread online has produced a report that suggests a definition of the phenomenon and makes a series of recommendations.
Ofcom chief on public sector broadcasting challenges
Sharon White, head of the UK’s converged regulator, Ofcom, has set out the challenges to public service broadcasters (PSBs) in a speech.
Falsehoods travel faster and more broadly than truth
The Guardian reports a paper, published in the journal Science, in which MIT researchers describe an analysis of a vast amount of Twitter data: more than 125,000 stories, tweeted more than 4.5 million times in total, all categorised as being true or false by at least one of six independent fact-checking organisations.
Italy’s competition authority reins in influencer marketing
The Italian competition authority (AGCM) has carried out a first enforcement initiative on influencer marketing, “one of the most innovative and powerful advertising tools”. The initiative aims to prevent the circulation through social networks of messages whose commercial intent is not clear.
Turkey aims to extend media powers to content providers
Turkey will expand the powers of its radio and television watchdog to include overseeing online content providers, under a draft law submitted to parliament on which the main opposition party said amounted to digital censorship, reports Reuters.
Social media companies need to do more to comply with EU consumer rules
The European Commission says social media companies need to do more to respond to the requests, made last March by the Commission and member states’ consumer authorities, to comply with EU consumer rules.
Journalists 'at risk of jail time' under new foreign interference laws
Australia’s largest media organisations fear that new foreign interference laws could see journalists thrown in jail.
Briefing paper: Artificial Intelligence: Why does it matter? What do policy makers in the TMT sector need to think about?
An IIC briefing paper: Artificial Intelligence: Why does it matter? What do policy makers in the TMT sector need to think about?
Ofcom’s review of regulatory trends
UK regulator, Ofcom, has issued its “International communications market report 2017”, which includes a section on regulatory context.
Report shows Australian demand for digital connectivity at an all-time high
Findings from the ACMA’s Communications report 2016-17 show that Australia’s demand for online content and services continues to grow unabatedly.
Australia opens inquiry into digital platforms
Australia’s government has directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to start an inquiry into digital platform providers such as Facebook and Google.
Bulgaria to prioritise European Communications Code in Council presidency; full EU spectrum reform in doubt
Bulgaria will focus its attention on speeding up negotiations on the European Communications Code when it takes over the 6 month rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers in January, notes EurActiv.
European Parliament rejects ending audiovisual territory licensing
The European Parliament has rejected proposed legislation intended to prevent territory-by-territory licensing of programming across the European Union (EU), reports Informitv.
Fake news on the agenda of the EU’s digital commissioner
Fake news is a disease that European society needs to be “vaccinated” against, the EU’s digital commissioner Mariya Gabriel said as she opened a call for public comments on how the EU should respond to the spread of false information on internet platforms, reports Euractiv.
FCC goes ahead with media ownership changes
As expected, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has loosened media ownership regulations in the US after a 3-2 vote by its executive which, while an expected development under the Trump administration, has drawn a mixed reaction, notes Rapid TV News.
FCC chairman wants FM radio enabled in mobile phones
FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, wants Apple to turn on the FM radio that’s hidden inside iPhones, reports The Verge. In a statement, he asked that Apple “reconsider its position, given the devastation wrought by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.”
Child online safety highlighted in UK report and green paper
A review by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) evidence group, made up of researchers from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Middlesex University and the University of Central Lancashire, has highlighted the major risks, opportunities and emerging trends for children online.
Industry pitches for self-regulation of ads
A trade association whose members include Google, Facebook and Twitter will pitch self-regulation instead of a proposed federal law requiring more disclosure for political advertising on their online platforms, reports Bloomberg.
FCC votes to end local rule for TV stations
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to eliminate a longstanding rule covering radio and television stations, in a move that could ultimately reshape America's media landscape, reports the Washington Post.
Q&A with Roberto Viola
Roberto Viola, European Commission
OECD reports on Mexico’s telecoms reform
Mexico’s 2013 telecom reform has brought benefits, spurring competition that has increased access and brought down mobile internet costs from among the highest in advanced economies to among the lowest, according to the OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of Mexico 2017.
Mapping digital financial inclusion
The Brookings Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FDIP) report for 2017 evaluates access to and usage of affordable financial services by underserved people across 26 geographically, politically and economically diverse countries.
Q&A with Augusto Preta
Augusto Preta - CEO, IT Media Consulting, Chairman, IIC Italian Chapter

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Content Futures