Meghan and Harry documentary sparks new law for Netflix regulation amid accuracy concerns

Under a proposed law, broadcasting regulator Ofcom will be given new powers to regulate Netflix and other streaming services for the first time, amid media questioning about the accuracy of

the Harry and Meghan documentary. Michelle Donelan, the Culture Secretary, is hoping to bring forward the Media Bill next year to give Ofcom new legal powers to regulate streaming services

not based in the UK. Ofcom would also be allowed to impose fines up to £250,000 or an amount up to five percent of their revenue, whichever would be higher.

On Saturday, certain Conservative MPs said they welcomed the Government's plan to regulate streaming platforms and added it could put a stop to any future misleading statements.

Bob Seely, the Conservative MP for the Isle of Wright, said: "I do think on principle that Netflix and other video streaming services should have the same ethical standards as other

broadcasters like the BBC."

In the trailer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s documentary the royals are accused of misleading viewers with footage and photographs that were not connected to the Sussexes.

READ MORE: Royals to avoid 'tit-for-tat' row with Meghan and Harry

Mike Tindall has unveiled that the Royal Family did approve of his decision to appear on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! earlier this autumn. As a non-working royal he did not need to

seek official permission from the Firm to take part, however he did speak to one member as a courtesy.

One black-and-white photograph in the documentary trailer appears to show Prince Harry and Meghan Markle being photographed by the press, as it shows photographers holding long lenses

pointing at what appears to be the couple.

The photograph was actually from the London Premiere of the final Harry Potter film in 2011, five years before Prince Harry and Meghan met, and the press were taking photographs of

celebrities walking down a red carpet.

Another shot from the trailer appears to show the press attempting to chase Prince Harry and Meghan but turned out to be footage of reality star Katie Price outside of court in 2021 after

she had been sentenced for drink-driving.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said: "The inaccurate photographs undermine the validity of what Harry and Meghan are trying to say. It makes them the object of ridicule.

"If you are going to criticise the monarchy you have to make sure everything you say or do is absolutely correct."

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Tim Loughton, the Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said the documentary has used "highly questionable" editing and it should be regulated the same way British broadcasters,

such as the BBC, would be.

He said: "They should be subject to the same criteria. That’s the problem with anything that’s now streamed or anything that’s now available on the internet.

"They’re not subject to the same publishing criteria as if it were a hard copy or in the terrestrial media."

Under the new legislation, steaming platforms would have to feature warnings or disclaimers over controversial content.

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The plan to regulate streaming platforms was first purposed by Nadine Dorries, the former culture secretary, and was scheduled to be debated during the current parliamentary session.

It has been reported by the Telegraph that the Government has accepted proposals from Michelle Donelan, the current Culture Secretary to carry on the legislation. 

A Netflix spokesman said the company was "supportive of the measures to update the legal framework and bring our service in the UK under Ofcom's jurisdiction". 

The spokesman did not comment on the claims of inaccuracy directed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s documentary. 

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