Thai broadcast watchdog to regulate Netflix, YouTube, online video service providers


BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will seek to regulate online content of video on demand (VOD) and video sharing platforms, a source said.

The source from the NBTC Office said that Pirongrong Ramasoota, chairwoman of the NBTC subcommittee on digital platform communications, would hold a meeting on Aug 23 to deliberate on plan to regulate video content by regulating the service providers.

The source said the NBTC would not interfere with content creators but would set regulations to control the service providers, such as the YouTube video-sharing platform, Facebook, Twitter, Line, TikTok, Netflix, iFlix, WeTV and Viu.

The regulation will be based on the idea that the service providers will have to make editorial decisions on choice of content, making them responsible for the content streamed or shared via their online platforms.

The source noted that Article 7 of the NBTC Act empowers the broadcast and telecom watchdog to regulate video broadcasts via digital platforms.

Although the Electronic Transactions Development Agency enacted a law last year to require the providers of digital videos to inform the ETDA of their services, the law exempts them from flinging the report if there is another law governing them directly responsible. As a result, the source said, the NBTC regards itself as the agency directly in charge of regulating online video broadcasting.

Meanwhile, a source from the provider of the TikTok short video clip sharing platform said the company could not make any comment on the plan as no details were known yet.

A source from the Meta Thailand office also offered a similar response, saying no clear details were yet revealed by the NBTC.

Meanwhile, Pathompong Sirachairat, CEO of Mono Max streaming video service, said his company would be willing to comply with the NBTC’s regulations.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Thailand , broadcast , watchdog , regulate , Netflix , YouTube

   

Next In Aseanplus News

Twin quakes shake Bandung, damaging homes and infrastructure
S. Korea parliament approves new probes into crowd crush, marine's death
Manet draws attention to importance of labour arbitration council as economy grows
Popular Malaysian coffee shop chain Oriental Kopi to open in Singapore by September
Death toll from south China road collapse rises to 48
Thai villagers turn to anime character Doraemon for rain-making ritual
One killed, at least 10 houses damaged as strong winds batter western Myanmar
AR Rahman to hold concert in Malaysia on July 27
Singapore well-placed to weather global supply chain shake-up: Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong
Fans thrilled by K-drama actor’s perfect intonation of Bangkok’s full name

Others Also Read