OpenMedia.ca Blog
Germany Drafts Bill to Restrict Employers’ Use of Facebook
Germany’s memories of Nazism in its past have influenced its policies concerning employers’ use of Facebook when recruiting. The country’s fear of repeating history has spurred a very cautious outlook on matters of individual privacy, especially in light of increased public access to personal information.
CRTC Promises Broadband to Rural Communities That Already Have It
The CRTC's list of 287 rural locations from British Columbia to Quebec that are in need of broadband infrastructures came as something of a surprise to residents in a large number of those communities - specifically from those who actually have had access to high-speed Internet for years.
The Benefits of Community Wi-Fi for Broadband Access
A 300 home community in Provo, Utah has demonstrated that community Wi-Fi systems can effectively serve as a less expensive, more manageable alternative to cable infrastructures. Although quality of service is sacrificed, systems like this could provide a viable, if not perfect, alternative in improving access to broadband signals in Canada.
OpenMedia.ca/CIPPIC Tell CRTC it Can Ensure Universal Internet
In submissions to the CRTC, CIPPIC, acting for OpenMedia.ca, argued that the Commission is tasked with putting in place a comprehensive telecommunications framework, which includes the power and obligation to ensure a minimal level of affordable broadband access for all Canadians.
CRTC: No Must-Carry Licenses until June 1, 2012
After much deliberation, the CRTC released yesterday their criteria for assessing what television stations will receive mandatory distribution after the digital switch-over takes place in August 2011. Surprisingly, the Commission has decided that it will not be considering any applications for must-carry licenses (such as those for Category A broadcasters) until June 2012 - much later than originally expected.
OpenMedia.ca Weighs in on Shaw's Bid to Purchase Global
The CRTC has scheduled a hearing seeking public input on Shaw's proposed plan to purchase CanWest Global on September 20. While this is practically a done deal and it is unlikely that the regulator is going to be able to prevent it from happening despite the fact that it strongly goes against, OpenMedia.ca has strongly advised the Commission to ensure that the integrity of the local broadcasters owned by Global is maintained at all costs.
The RIAA Sees a Little Bit of Itself in Google
As Fresh Media’s REMIXOLOGY event rocked Vancouver on Wednesday, with ideas including the blurring line between paid professionalism and noncommercial creation for media producers, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) along with several other music organizations penned a letter to Google chief executive Eric Schmidt asking that they use their influence on policy to keep this divide in place.
Media Links: In defense of the CRTC
Find this article in The Tyee, rabble.ca, VUE Weekly, and Common Ground.
I recently found my way into a media and technology industry conference where I "accidentally" bumped into the chair of the CRTC, Konrad von Finckenstein, who was surprisingly charming. Our conversation couldn't have been more different from the experiences I've had at CRTC hearings, where commissioners bear down on you with condescending glares, like feudal lords against the backdrop of a row of flags, the CRTC logo hanging overhead in place of a medieval coat of arms.
The Facebook Union Attempts to Protect and Value Personal User Data
After several high-profile conflicts regarding Facebook's use of personal user information, the Facebook Union has been developed to protect our personal data and provide one "off-Facebook hub for discussion." Though composed of only nineteen people, the Union is optimistic that this concept could soon turn into a movement.
Richard Buchanan, a freelance and creative, explains that he wants to see each Facebook user given a value based on how much revenue Facebook - or any social networking website — generates from placing advertising next to his or her information.
Android Sales Surpass iPhone in United States
For the first time ever, the Google Android has outsold Apple iPhones to gain 27 percent share of American smartphone sales. Apple currently holds 23 percent of the market.
While the Android is nearly two years old, many argue that it has only recently become a competitor with the development of Android 2.1. Thus, much of its success is accredited to the tremendous growth commonly seen in the beginning of a product cycle.
Me In Cartoon
A little while ago the good people at Broken Pencil did a cartoon profile of me and my work. I can't say that I feel I'm deserving of such a profile, but here it is.
Minnesota Senator Urges Us to Fight for Free Flow of Information
Democratic Senator Al Franken spoke at the Netroots Nation Conference in Las Vegas on July 24th and urged the audience to look at the implications of the looming merger between Comcast and NBC.
If no one stops the Comcast and NBC merger, Franken asked: “How long do you think it will take before four or five mega corporations affectively control the flow of the information in America not only on television but online?”
CRTC Releases Annual Report on Canadian Communications Industry
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission issued the annual Communications Monitoring Report today, presenting growth figures for Canada's telecommunications and broadcasting industries in 2009.
General trends indicated a continuous increase in mobile and broadband internet usage, while conventional television and radio stations saw a decline in revenue last year.
Canwest-Shaw deal gets approval, moves forward
An Ontario Superior Court judge approved the sale of CanWest Global Communication’s entire TV assets, including its specialty programming, to Shaw Communications Inc. for $2 billion. The deal includes the transfer of highly popular channels such as Global TV, Slice, Food Network Canada and HGTV.
The approval is a required and significant step in the complete transfer of Canwest’s TV channel operations to Shaw.
U of Ottawa Press launches open access collection
In accordance to their commitment to University of Ottawa’s open access program, The University of Ottawa Press has launched an open access collection that strives to enable free and unrestricted access to scholarly research.
Rogers’ anti-competition plans to cap bandwidth limit
Upon Netflix’s announcement to bring their online video rental services to Canada, Rogers lowered the bandwidth limit on two of their data plans shortly after.
Although Rogers urges that the changes are unrelated to Netflix’s expansion to Canada, it is hard to believe that Rogers isn’t attempting to prevent competition to their On Demand Online service that already allows Canadians to view TV shows and movies on their computers and mobile devices.
Sun TV News denied a Category 1 application by the CRTC
If you're wondering what happened with Quebecor's attempt to imbue their upcoming Sun TV News (which has been frequently dubbed "Fox News North") with a "must carry" license for all cable and satellite providers, you shouldn't be too surprised to learn that the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has denied their request.
WikiLeaks: Journalism for Change
Agenda setting is a process whereby organizations, such as government bodies or news conglomerates, strategically select which messages and news should be conveyed to the public audience. By deciding for the public what news deserves their complete attention, more sensitive news could be deliberately excluded and neglected.
WikiLeaks is a platform for dispensing unfiltered news, generally submitted by whistle-blowers or journalists who can’t get their news published in mainstream press due to sensitive or, what news broadcasters deem as, ‘unfavourable’ news topics.
“America’s Got Net” video competition on net neutrality
Open Internet Coalition is hosting a net neutrality YouTube video competition. Participants in the “America’s Got Net” video contest need to submit their video by August 15, explaining how the Internet has empowered them and emphasizing the importance of net neutrality.
