Feds take another swing at Broadcast Act update, this time with lighter touch on social media, but critics say the internet should not be treated like broadcasting

This is the federal government’s second attempt at updating the Broadcasting Act, now known as the Online Streaming Act. The new bill brings back an exemption for social media platforms, while maintaining that the act will apply to commercial content on social media sites.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, pictured on the Hill on Jan. 31, 2022, said under the new legislation, amateur creators who generate revenue through video sponsorship or ads from social media sites, such as YouTube, will remain exempt and that it will only apply to 'professional' music, movies or series. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY JENNA COCULLO AND MICHAEL LEE-MURPHY

February 3, 2022

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodríguez called previous concerns over social media broadcasting regulations “legitimate questions” Wednesday as he introduced the federal government’s second attempt at updating the Broadcasting Act, now known as the Online St...

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