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NEW PROPOSALS BEING considered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) could change how on-demand streaming sites suggest new content for Irish audiences.
The proposals form part of the authority’s draft ‘Media Plurality Policy’, which aims to promote a “plurality of voices, viewpoints, outlets and sources in Irish media”.
The authority has identified news filters and algorithms on internet and on-demand media services as features that could prevent users from accessing a diversity of content.
Speaking at the launch of a public consultation on the policy yesterday, BAI compliance and policy manager Declan McLoughlin said the absence of legislation for digital media ownership was a “weakness” for the authority.
Asked by TheJournal.ie to clarify how the regulation of online algorithms would work, McLoughlin suggested that policies outlining how on-demand players suggested content to Irish users could be introduced.
“The reality is that if you’re watching Netflix or those kind of online players, it’s the aggregators suggest content which can limit what you see,” he said.
“You end up seeing things that you like and what you’re interested in, as opposed to having … something you’ve never seen before.”
‘Polarisation’
McLoughlin said that while the use of algorithms created both challenges and opportunities, the European Union was not currently seeking to legislate for their use, something which may change in the future.
“The message, I think, is that if things don’t improve, then there may be a need for legislative engagement,” he added.
The draft is being considered as part of the BAI’s mission for 2017-2019, and its commitment to the Council of Europe to encourage diverse media ownership in the digital age.
According to the BAI, such features lead to the “polarisation” of individuals and discourage exposure to a diversity of political views.
“The related and evolving concern regarding issues of disinformation, misinformation and mal-information on political, social and cultural matters which is evident via discussions on fake news in the social media sphere and elsewhere,” the draft reads.
“While increasing access to trusted and valued content remains an important element of regulation, it must be supplemented with measures to empower citizens to be informed and to make informed choices about their media consumption,” the draft continues.
A public consultation into the draft proposals is open until 30 January, 2019 on the BAI’s website, alongside proposals to update the authority’s ‘Ownership and Control Policy’.
The BAI expects both policies to come into effect from the middle of next year.
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Jaysus lads get a real job and leave Netflix to suggest what it wants. Hopefully they are laughed out the building of they make it that far.
@Daniel Wilson: unfortunately not like all taxpayers funded quangos in this country they will continue on their merry way
@Daniel Wilson: Netflix sounds like the least of it. In fact it sounds like they’re citing Netflix to hide their true intentions; manipulation of information we see under the guise of preventing manipulation of the information we see. The question is who do we ultimately trust as arbiter of truth.
Since they are full of suggestions how about scrap the licence fee and let us decide if we want to subscribe to RTE rather than be forced with an annual payment.
The BAI will endeavour to ensure that viewers and listeners in Ireland have access to a diverse range of services, programming and perspectives that meets their needs and reflects their diversity. It will actively encourage and support Irish broadcasters in realising this objective……so lets bring in a law that will lead to people having to get a broadcast license, scrap the old TV license, and increase the rates.
@Paul Downes: And everyone probably has to get the licence whether they’ve a television or not.
@Paul Downes. Increase the rates? We’re already paying through the hilt in non direct taxes. You must be a FF/FG man
@Whoswho: I haven’t labeled you, I would kindly ask you don’t label me.
We the state will do all you choosing and thinking for you….
So what this means is that a horror movie fans will be constantly bombarded with suggestions to watch a romance comedy. Because that is something they havent seen before.
Forcing a service down our throats which no one asked for.
Ha ha we paid the vat on the device and the internet bill – why not close RTÉ down and forget the whole thing
Get a life. Stop trying to find ways in justifying you and your mates existence. There is a thing called search, we are not children.
Now where is that List in space run.
Yeah Netflix are always bloody suggesting things I might like, the b#&tards
@Grumpyoldtroll: they’re o..kaay, but when you change location there’s always a bunch of stuff they don’t offer in your area. Why restrict it so much?
@Greg Blake: Welcome to international licensing!
Don’t look at what Netfix suggests – look at what Nanny suggests!
What a waste of time. The whole point of the algorithm is to point you towards content you would want to watch. If it was in relation to a news site I would agree as that kind of filtering can entrench viewpoints if you’re only ever seeing one side but being pushed towards US dramas rather than Bollywood films is of no impact.
More in the BAI line to have a word with Sky Tv about the 3 hours on a 0818 number. hard sell incompetent staff falsehoods it takes to cancel your subscription .
@Pat Lonergan: In fairness I think Sky customer service staff must be incentivised to try and keep you a Sky customer. Cancelled recently and the lad on the phone did everything bar offering the shirt on his back to get me to stay. Multiple times on hold while he supposedly checked with his supervisor etc. but more to give me time to sit there wondering what if I took their new offer. Then a call back for a satisfaction survey the first question of which was “if we could incentivise your Sky package would you consider not cancelling?” Then two letters and two text messages so far. That’s in the 10 days since cancelling. Expecting flowers in the morning.
@Pat Lonergan: simply cancel the direct debit,by by sky…
Why not start with radio fakestalk.
Was this actually put within their remit at some point? Or did they just decide themselves that they are the authority in this area
We’ve taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It’s one for all, all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
“You end up seeing things that you like and what you’re interested in, as opposed to having … something you’ve never seen before.”
We had that once… when there were only two or three terrestial channels to choose from!
It had its merits, but still I’d prefer not to go back.
In any case, pushing for diversity of opinion in news stories might be a good thing, but nobody is watch Netflix for the news.
Ok, so we’re getting bombarded with Bollywood and Chinese films in the New Releases section. The titles are in English but the movies aren’t. Can there not be a Bollywood section, Asian section, Subtitled film section? It’s so frustrating! Then, there’s also the ‘Because you Watched’ recommendations: I watched The Autopsy of Jane Doe and was then recommended The Minions! Um, not sure how they relate to each other. Hope Netflix will get its act together.
The BaI should be more concerned about PORN being streamed it’s causing more harm !! When is the government going to stop porn on the internet and implement an ID verification system instead of leaving it open
The suggestions I already get are bang on new stuff that I most of the time end up liking, so I definitely don’t want the BAI interfering with that.
What purpose does the BAI serve the general public anyway? I mean besides this crock of shhhh…
Pay per download… You can keep the movie and watch it as much as you want, no ads and no one telling you what you should watch or not. Does that exist ? Is the price reasonable ?
@Dominic Leleu: it exists but is expensive. You would pay the same if not more as you would for a month of Netflix
I want Netflix to suggest things I may be interested, not present me with potential shite just for the sake of it.
If Netflix doesn’t present diversity in its recommendations, why do I keep getting Israeli, German, Indian, French, Spanish, Scandinavian etc language shows. popping up on my list, it’s darned annoying.
The reason most people watch Netflix, TV Now, Prime, is because we don’t want to watch Bog1 Bog2 and TG4, for which we are forced to pay, But we choose to pay for streaming so we can exercise freedom of choice.
Heaven forbid that viewers might see content they like instead of ‘something new’. Talk about missing the point of streaming services.
We’ve taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It’s one for all, all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
have your say