Some internet users feared Ofcom would soon be ‘policing’ the web, shutting down sites and censoring content. If confirmed as the watchdog for wider online harms, we would not underestimate the size of that challenge.We would expect to have the resources and teeth to hold companies to account. 3. Regulation will need to be flexible and proportionate, careful not to stifle innovation or disadvantage small firms and start-ups.So, it makes sense that the Government has put freedom of expression at the heart of its planned approach.Under the Government’s plans, there would be special protections for children. The main objective of the research was to quantify concerns about, and reported experience of, online harm in four key categories: Content that people view, read or listen to online Interactions with other users Data/privacy Hacking/security In fact, the clear, fair and respected code that we enforce on TV and radio acts as a strong deterrent against poor behaviour.Second, we are independent from Government, free from corporate or political influence. The response fleshes out some of the proposals contained in the initial online harms white paper, most importantly by naming Ofcom as the regulator that would be … Freedom groups warned of dangerous implications for privacy, expression and even the rule of law. In May, our Today’s paper aims to contribute to the discussion on how to address these harms effectively, drawing on Ofcom’s experience as the UK communications regulator.
It is also central to our work as the UK’s broadcasting watchdog, thanks to three important principles.First, we never censor content.
of online harm in three key categories: - Content that people view, read or listen to online and interactions with other users - Data/privacy - Hacking/security The research also explores awareness and opinions of the current level of regulation that applies to broadcast and online environments Parents tell us they are increasingly worried about cyber-bullying, self-harm and even radicalisation online. But some of their features have the potential to cause harms to individuals and society. Today’s paper aims to contribute to the discussion on how to address these harms effectively, drawing on Ofcom’s experience as the UK communications regulator. Harm takes different forms on different services, and evolves over time. We believe the same should be true of the online regulator.And third, we are already legally required to secure audience protection in a way that best guarantees freedom for broadcasters’ to transmit a range of ideas – and your right to receive them.Far from undermining free speech, good regulation can and does support it.Clearly, tackling online harm presents significant new challenges, and not just the sheer amount of content. The public debate around online harms The public’s increasing use of online services has sparked a wide-ranging debate about online harms The internet has delivered major benefits to individuals and society. It looks at the sources of online harms from an economic perspective, which can inform the broader policy assessment that policymakers and regulators may use to evidence and address them. It looks at the sources of online harms from an economic perspective, which can inform the broader policy assessment that policymakers and regulators may use to evidence and address them. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. And while industry and children’s groups welcomed the plans, others had early misgivings.Some internet users feared Ofcom would soon be ‘policing’ the web, shutting down sites and censoring content. Free speech is the beating heart of our democracy, values and modern society. A version of this article was originally published in The Times.“I may not agree with you”, said Oscar Wilde, paraphrasing Evelyn Beatrice Hall’s Voltaire, “but I will defend to the death your right to make an ass of yourself”.But in the wrong hands, online services have also become a means of promoting hate, harm and fear, leading to a serious debate about how to make them safer.This month, the Government said it was minded to appoint Ofcom to regulate harmful content online. As well as today’s announcement that the Government is minded to appoint Ofcom as the regulator for online harms, the Ofcom Board has appointed Dame Melanie Dawes as … For information on these cookies and how to remove them, read Kevin Bakhurst, Ofcom’s content group director, highlights the importance of freedom of speech in future regulation of content online. But many of the solutions lie in established standards, such as the “freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.The UN declared that freedom in the age of the telegram, but it’s no less important in the era of TikTok and Twitter.Anchored in these values, I believe the UK can be a global pioneer in making the web a better place – through workable rules that reflect our fundamental rights and safeguard our society. If given the job, we would aim to build on our work as the media regulator. And while industry and children’s groups welcomed the plans, others had early misgivings. This month, the Government said it was minded to appoint Ofcom to regulate harmful content online. More than 3.3 billion people worldwide use the internet, up by 70% since 2010, Platforms must guard against illegal content and quickly remove it – and if not, face action.We understand this approach.