The British government: “Save the Internet video!”

The British newspaper The Times reports on the preparation by the European Commission of a bill aimed at regulating the sphere of television. It is assumed that this bill will also affect the activities of Internet services, allowing users to post video content in the public domain, as well as any sites that will host video clips. Among the goals of the draft law are setting standards for advertising, combating incitement to violence, child pornography, etc.

The UK government fears that future law will affect ordinary Internet users, and not just giants like YouTube . Any sites with video content will be labeled as television-like services, “services like television,” and their owners will be required to obtain a license to allow visitors to watch any video recording, including amateur (“home”) shooting. In this context, the name of the bill - “Television Without Frontiers” - looks funny.

Shaun Woodward, Minister of Broadcasting, explains: “Suppose you are the owner of the site of an amateur rugby team. You posted information about the team, some video materials, a link to a local sports store. In this case, you are a provider of video content and must obtain a license and follow certain rules. ”
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The UK government insists that Internet issues are not addressed at all in this bill. In addition to the owners of small sites, large network services will also be affected, which will either be closed down or (more likely) their management will be moved outside the EU. The government claims that the bill will destroy the industry, which began to develop not so long ago, but has great prospects and demonstrates good financial performance.

The solution to the problem is the definition of the term “television” in European legislation. At the moment, oddly enough, a clear definition is not given.