Regulating online video infrastructure: issues and institutions

This chapter deals with the regulatory options for the infrastructure aspects of the third generation of TV, when policy approaches that have been applied separately to TV, telecom, film, and IT converge. These issues include network upgrades for wireline, wireless, and for developing countries. They include access onto networks, as exemplified by net neutrality rules, network control devices, and data security. The chapter then discusses the regulatory institutions and international jurisdictions and harmonization of regulation. Governments will either directly intervene in media activities, or let a handful of video platforms become the de facto regulators of the global media system. Of the many issues identified earlier in the book, several do not lend themselves well to governmental remedies, such as the shortening of attention span and the increased sensationalism. On the other hand, issues such as employment, privacy, and market power can be addressed by public processes.