The CRTC started its new media hearing yesterday.  It will consider whether the CRTC should regulate the Internet in some way – the thought being that it is just another form of broadcasting.

Its an important issue that will no doubt garner a lot of press.  Michael Geist will provide detailed ongoing coverage.  From his post yesterday:

Throughout the hearings, I’ll be teaming up with Carleton professor Ira Wagman to offer up a full summary of the day’s events as we’ll have students carefully taking notes on all the presentations and discussions.

Michael notes that the CRTC has issued a notice detailing its upcoming hearings on broadcasting and new media, and asking for interested parties to participate.

The CRTC has essentially kept its hands off the Internet so far.  These hearings will consider whether that should continue, or whether the CRTC should regulate “broadcasting” over the Internet.  This will prove to be an interesting exercise. Anyone who has strong feelings about this should consider participating.

More background and detail is in the CRTC notice itself, in Michaels post, and in an earlier post of mine.