Dutch media regulator sets eyes on internet, mobile content

The Dutch Media Commission said it will this year begin registering audiovisual media services on the internet. The commission will also extend its monitoring of mobile services. The regulator began last year with an inventory of web content. Web content providers must also abide by rules for, for example, advertising time, or forbidding the broadcast of certain age restricted programmes at certain times of the time. The commission noted the difficulty in monitoring RTL Netherlands because of its statutory registration in Luxembourg. A something situation applies to monitoring a number of porn channels registered in the Netherlands, but which are aimed at other countries. This year is important because it marks the beginning of the actual registration process of providers of media services. Providing information will be crucial as thisis the first time certain companies have come under government control. The Dutch ministry of education, culture and science will have to modify certain rules in order to determine which web radio stations should be regulated and how much the monitoring duties will cost. The commission last year created a new registration licensing and monitoring department, as well as a new enforcement division. The commission will do its best to be in contact with content distributors in order to avoid enforcement as much as possible.