Arcom president Martin Ajdari reiterates that the Arcom is not obligated to evaluate the legality of content posted by individuals, nor to demand its removal, in the context of Jean Pormanove's passing

The Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique (Arcom), the regulatory body for new digital media, has come under scrutiny following a live streaming incident that resulted in the death of Raphaël Graven on August 17th and 18th. The focus is on the role and responsibility that new media should assume in such situations.

The Arcom, established in 2022, oversees that audiovisual services and platforms comply with their legal obligations to moderate and remove illicit content, including hateful or discriminatory material. However, it does not directly judge individual content, instead verifying that platforms fulfill their duties and sanctioning them if they fail. In cases like the one involving Raphaël Graven’s images, the Arcom can require platform explanations and coordinate with other authorities to address the online distribution of harmful content.

Despite these measures, the Arcom has been criticized for its inability to prevent the online dissemination of such harmful content. The incident raises questions about the role of new media in allowing harmful content to multiply views without assuming responsibility.

The Arcom's role in the digital field is not the same as in the traditional audiovisual field, where its mission has been to verify that television and radio stations adhere to their obligations, such as rigor and pluralism in information, respect for human dignity, and protection of minors.

The purpose of the violence in this case was to generate views and substantial revenue on the streaming site. This incident underscores the need for collective awareness of the excesses and dangers that new media can represent, particularly for youth.

The Arcom rules on the content of programs based on citizen complaints, with tens of thousands of seizures per year. However, the question remains whether more proactive measures should be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for effective regulation in the digital media landscape. As new media continues to evolve, it is crucial that the Arcom, and similar regulatory bodies, adapt and strengthen their measures to ensure a safer and more responsible online environment.