Lesson notes - Mr. Dougan

Network Neutrality - This is defined as the freedom to access any kind of content on the web, without the fear of restrictions. It is the principle behind the freedom that web users enjoy online.

Network Neutrality is important for:

• Growth
• Creativity
• Communication

It is not available worldwide as there are countries whose governments restrict their citizens' access for political reasons.

Network Neutrality is possibly in danger because there are companies who have interest in making sure that access to the web is not freely available.

The media is regulated to set limits to freedom which is the most basic principle of democratic societies. General justifications for regulation that help to reconcile it with principles of freedom and democracy.

There are six reasons for media regulation:

• management
• protection of public order
• protection of individual and sectional rights and interests
• promotion of the efficiency and development of the communication system
• promotion of access, freedom to communicate, diversity and universal provision
• maintaining conditions for effective operation of free markets in media services

Press, radio and television broadcasting were subject from the beginning to high levels of restriction. The general concept of social responsibility and public interest lies at the core of the broadcasting model. The main difference between systems that are within public ownership and control and those that operate commercially, but subject to licensing conditions and public scrutiny.

Main reasons for regulation are:

• to ensure universal availability
• to allocate frequencies and broadcasting concessions
• to ensure a wide range of services and access opportunities
• to promote high quality content
• to look after the best interests of the state

The broadcasting model covers two main type of system. One is the public service variant, the other consists of privately owned and financed systems.

The internet is the main new medium of our time. Despite this, for regulatory purposes it is treated primarily under the common carrier model and is subject to no particular regulatory regime of its own. It does not have guarantees of freedom like the press nor content regulations like broadcasting. One stems from its lack of central organisation. It is not owned by anyone, but many users of the same basic technology and infrastructure.

Media and communications regulation are among the most dynamic and exciting legal developments in recent years. The LSE Law Department is the leading edge in these fields.

The media now affects nearly every aspect of our lives. It influences the products we consume, via advertising; our understanding of the world via news and documentary; our leisure via film and broadcast fiction and games; our methods of communication via the internet. It is widely acknowledged that this dominance gives the media huge influence.

Ofcom are a UK media institution that has the responsibility of regulation. They have two areas of control which are:

• applying adequate protection for audiences against offensive or harmful material
• applying adequate protection for audiences against unfairness or the infringement of privacy