“Oi, you got a licence for that edge, mate?” Could become a common phrase in the U.K., under the new parliamentary rule that has appointed Ofcom as the new regulator for online content to “safeguard” the populace from “harmful” material.
According to the Independent, Ofcom’s job will be the monitor and “punish” websites that breach their standards of “safety” for the general public, especially when it comes to “harmful and illegal terrorist and child-abuse content”.
Originally Ofcom was going to be able to fine social media platforms for hosting offending content, but now they’ve been given direct authority to go after websites and their owners.
The Independent quoted culture secretary, Dame Nicky Morgan, and home secretary, Priti Patel, from the white paper, where they explained their reasons for handing so much power over to Ofcom…
“Freedom of expression, and the role of a free press, is vital to a healthy democracy. We will ensure that there are safeguards in the legislation, so companies and the new regulator have a clear responsibility to protect users’ rights online, including freedom of expression and the need to maintain a vibrant and diverse public square.”
Ofcom is a U.K., government-approved broadcasting regulator in charge of monitoring television, radio, postal sectors, and telecommunications. Think of them as the U.K., equivalent to the U.S’ Federal Communications Commission.
The broadening of Ofcom’s role obviously won’t spell good tidings for the people, as having someone else monitor and censor content on the internet will only turn out sour for anyone who isn’t part of the establishment’s cache of propaganda peddlers.
You’ll definitely want to keep an eye on this, as one can easily see Ofcom being mutated into an enforcer utilized by Twitter spergs and Social Justice Judiciaries to deplatform web content they don’t like, especially of the anime and manga variety.
(Thanks for the news tip Jigsy)