The Jeff Pulver Blog: First John Edwards announces on YouTube. What Happens Next?

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December 29, 2006

First John Edwards announces on YouTube. What Happens Next?

During my flight back to the States yesterday, a Washington, D.C. policy reporter who was covering the John Edwards YouTube announcement emailed me a request to do an interview. While I would have been happy to talk using Skype at 35,000 feet, everyone around me was sleeping so I was emailed a series of thought provoking questions.

[Looking back at my replies, they were my immediate reactions to the questions.]

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Q1. Do you think more candidates will use online video to get their message out in 2007 and 2008?

A1. Yes. By 2008 every candidate will have to have their TV/IP strategy in place. What we saw today was a foreshowing of the future.

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Q2. Do you think online video will affect the way politicians spend money on TV advertising at all?

A2. In the beginning no, but it will slowly grow over time. It comes down to what demographic they want to reach. If they are looking for the 59 and older crowed, TV is the only way to go. ;-)

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Q3. Can you address some of the legal issues raised by these types of videos? Broadcasters, for instance, aren't allowed to censor or edit political messages when the candidate appears on screen. That frees them from liability in the event the candidate lies or defames his opponent. Do you think similar rules should apply online?

A3. No I don't. Welcome to the Internet.

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Q4. Should online video sites like YouTube fact check politicos' videos and edit out errors? Are there provisions of the DMCA that shield them from liability?

A4. With regard to the politicos' videos, online video sites should have no responsibility or liability. TV on the Net is not regulated and should not be. Not now. Not later. NEVER.

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In all fairness, I do believe the person who asked these questions raised a number of very interesting points which will no doubt be the subject at cocktail parties in DC during 2007 and 08. What happens next is hard to tell, but this is why I believe we all need to be vigilant when it comes to the very real regulatory threats that the emerging TV on the Net space will be facing in the immediate future.

The last thing anyone needs is to see legacy broadcasting rules applied to the Internet.

Tags: videoblogging, John Edwards, public policy, TV on the Net, Disruptive Broadcasting, Jeff Pulver