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Soviet-era CENSORSHIP: Liberals' Bill C-11 and Bill C-18 hurt Canadian creators and local journalism
Introduction
In a recent discussion surrounding the implications of various government bills on Canadian creators and media, Neil Mohan, the Chief Product Officer for YouTube, expressed concerns regarding Bill C-11. He stated that the bill "has the potential to disadvantage Canadian creators who build their businesses on our platform." These sentiments were echoed by many, including renowned Canadian author Margaret Atwood, who likened the legislation to "Soviet-era censorship."
The purpose of the Keep YouTube Yours campaign was to advocate for the preservation of the creative ecosystem that Canadian creators rely on. According to Mohan, when C-11 was initially proposed, it was not intended to include user-generated content (UGC), which is a vital aspect of the platform. He emphasized that creators depend on having their content recommended to audiences globally, which is crucial for their success. With only about 2% of the world’s population living in Canada, the global reach of YouTube—with over two billion monthly active users—makes it imperative for creators to find audiences outside their home country. The campaign aimed to promote a level playing field for Canadian creators to connect with a global audience rather than just a Canadian one.
Despite the bill's enactment, the debate continues about whether it should be repealed. Miss Patel acknowledged that the focus remains on understanding how the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will implement the new regulations and maintaining communication with both the CRTC and Parliament.
Another pivotal topic discussed was the impact of Bill C-18, the Online News Act, particularly on local journalism. It's been reported from various communities that following the passage of this law, many local news outlets experienced a significant drop in web traffic coming from Facebook. As a result, some outlets have had to lay off journalists or, worse, shut down entirely. There are concerns about the potential replacement of credible journalism spaces with misinformation, which could pose a further threat to the integrity of media in Canada.
In response to discerning views on the effects of Bill C-18, representatives from Meta emphasized that the space vacated by local journalism is now being filled primarily with content posted by friends, family, and community organizations—rather than misinformation.
In another segment, TikTok's representative, Mr. Dare, discussed the platform’s Creator Fund as it pertains to U.S. creators, hinting that similar programs could be considered for Canada in the future. While not yet available to Canadian content creators, TikTok offers alternate monetization avenues, such as brand partnerships and live gifting, to support creators in Canada.
Both bills have altered the landscape for Canadian creators and local journalism, producing significant concern among stakeholders about the future of creative content creation and reliable news dissemination in Canada.
Keyword
- Bill C-11
- Bill C-18
- Canadian creators
- Local journalism
- YouTube
- Online News Act
- User-generated content
- Monetization
- Misinformation
FAQ
Q: What are Bills C-11 and C-18?
A: Bill C-11 is aimed at regulating online content, including user-generated content, while Bill C-18, known as the Online News Act, impacts how news content is shared and monetized on platforms like Facebook.
Q: How have these bills affected Canadian creators?
A: The bills have raised concerns among creators regarding their ability to reach global audiences and maintain profitable businesses, causing fears that they could be disadvantaged.
Q: What is the Keep YouTube Yours campaign?
A: This campaign was launched to advocate for the rights of Canadian creators and to ensure their content remains accessible globally, free from restrictive regulations.
Q: What has been the impact of Bill C-18 on local journalism?
A: Local news outlets have reported significant declines in web traffic from social media, leading to layoffs and closures as they struggle to adapt to the changes brought on by this legislation.
Q: What alternatives does TikTok provide for Canadian creators?
A: TikTok offers alternative monetization methods such as brand partnerships and live gifting, allowing creators to earn income while the Creator Fund is not yet available in Canada.