There's a committee in Ottawa looking at the feasibility of putting Canadian content controls on the internet in a manner similar to what is applied to big media (radio and television).I am vehemently opposed to such a move. The internet is as popular as it is precisely because there were no borders - I say 'were' because recently, American big media have begun restricting who can view their posted content online - a move that has many internet users around the world crying foul. In my own entertainment culture consumption, I have been stymied again and again trying to access content produced by artists from other countries because of network, national, copyright, licensing rules and in many cases the internet is my only means of bypassing those archaic, counter-productive restrictions. It has been proven time and again that these kinds of regulations reduce the potential for innovation, personal choice and the free exchange of ideas.
The concept of net neutrality is a sound one, affording a counter-balance to the ultra-restrictive regulations forced upon consumers. Contrary to popular belief, having access to content that under normal rules would not be available to the consumer actually helps make consumers aware of their existence, which drives regulated providers to consider offering alternatives. There are many programs, both on-air and sold as DVDs, that I would not have watched, or even known about, if it had not been for some content available online.
The internet operates (for the most part) as a pure example of market forces. If you want people to watch your content, create something worth watching. If you believe your content is worthy of more followers, get the word out.
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