To prevent another convoy protest, the Canadian government makes all big podcasting platform register in a special government agency.
The Canadian government, led by Justin Trudeau, is becoming increasingly authoritarian. On Friday, September 29th, they have imposed a new mandate on podcasting platforms and streaming services, requiring them to register with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and actively promote Canadian and Indigenous content. This move raises concerns about freedom of speech in a regime whose policies have been nothing but pro-free-speech.
The CRTC recently announced a significant overhaul of how independent media operates in Canada, claiming it’s a modernization effort, because every regulator sees himself as an innovator. Under these changes, online streaming services with annual revenues exceeding $10 million must register with the CRTC by November 28th. This will effectively subject online content to similar regulations as traditional broadcasting, like TV and radio.
However, the registration requirement applies only to podcasting platforms, not individual podcast creators or online services exclusively focused on video games or audiobooks or other harmless activity. This move has sparked debate about the potential impact on online content and freedom of expression in Canada, as it gives the government greater control over the digital media landscape. It’s for our fellow Canadians’ good, right?
