The European Union is attempting to regulate websites by redefining them as broadcasters. The result of the attempted legislation would be to require websites and mobile phone services that include video to conform to standards of broadcasters as determined in Brussels.
Shaun Woodward, the Broadcasting Minister, said: “Supposing you set up a website for your amateur rugby club, uploaded some images and added a link advertising your local sports shop. You would then be a supplier of moving images and need to be licensed and comply with the regulations.”
Not only would it affect YouTube and MySpace, but would also include individual, amateur "video bloggers" as broadcasters.
The reasons given by the Media Commissioner for the changes are "to set minimum standards on areas such as advertising, hate speech and 
the protection of children."
Times Online said concerning British criminal law that it already covers material that might incite hate or cause harm to children.
This seems to me like the typical attempt to regulate competition because others can't compete. Evidently Britain is on the leading edge of the online entertainment and media industry in Europe. This seems like an attempt to invade that through the means of saying its because of things like hate speech and protection of children.
Language like that is an attempt to manipulate the situation. Who could say that they don't want to protect children. It looks like a back-door way to try to level the playing field so that other countries can catch up. I hope Britain doesn't give in on this. Any of you out there agree?
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