Canada’s new podcasting requirements spark free speech debate

FIGHTS OVER FREE SPEECH ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE U.S. — CANADA IS CURRENTLY FACING A DEBATE OVER NEWLY IMPLEMENTED SPEECH REGULATIONS. 

AT ISSUE IS THE NATION’S EFFORTS TO QUOTE: “ENSURE ONLINE STREAMING SERVICES MAKE MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANADIAN AND INDIGENOUS CONTENT.”

THE NEW DIRECTIVE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY BY THE CANADIAN RADIO TELEVISION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MANDATES THAT ONLINE STREAMING SERVICES THAT OPERATE IN CANADA AND SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICES AND OTHER ONLINE SERVICES THAT OFFER PODCASTS… REGISTER WITH THE GOVERNMENT

THE REGULATIONS STEM FROM THE RECENTLY PASSED CONTROVERSIAL ONLINE STREAMING ACT.. TO REQUIRE PLATFORMS LIKE NETFLIX AND SPOTIFY TO PAY INTO THE DOMESTIC MEDIA ECOSYSTEM.

Pablo Rodriguez – Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant 

“At the end of the day, the bill is very simple. It is asking the streamers, that we like, I have Disney I have Netflix and all of that, to contribute to Canadian culture and also to make sure we can showcase what we do best in terms of films, music, and television.”

THE FRIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CRTC RECEIVED HEAVY  CRITICISM… INCLUDING FROM SOCIAL MEDIA OWNER ELON MUSK, WHO ACCUSED THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT OF QUOTE “CRUSHING FREE SPEECH.”

MUSK’S OPEN CRITICISM OF THE NEW REGULATIONS IS A STORY NOT BEING COVERED BY ALL MEDIA.

THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS MEDIA MISS TOOL SHOWS THE MAJORITY OF OUTLETS COVERING THE STORY ARE EITHER CENTER ORIENTED OR RIGHT-LEANING

LEFT-LEANING NEWS OUTLETS ARE UNDER-REPORTING MUSKS CRITICISM. OF THE 24 SOURCES COVERING THE STORY JUST ONE OUTLET LEANS LEFT.

THE CRTC IS SET TO HOLD A THREE-WEEK PUBLIC PROCEEDING IN NOVEMBER AS IT QUOTE: “CONSIDERS CONTRIBUTIONS TRADITIONAL BROADCASTERS AND ONLINE STREAMING SERVICES WILL NEED TO MAKE TO SUPPORT CANADIAN AND INDIGENOUS CONTENT.”