GEO-blocking ‘hampers digital creators’

Barbadian content creators are being shut out of monetising their work on major platforms like YouTube and Spotify due to geo-blocking, hampering efforts to boost the island’s orange economy, industry leaders warned.

Geo-blocking refers to the practice of restricting access to online content or services based on a user’s geographical location.

This is commonly employed by streaming platforms and websites to comply with licensing agreements, copyright laws, or regional regulations. Users often encounter a message stating that the content is not available in their current location due to geoblocking restrictions, usually movies and other video content.

The issue has emerged as a significant barrier at a forum aimed at propelling forward creative industries, cultural services, and sports sectors—collectively known as the orange economy.

Amanda Reifer, president of the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries (BCSI), told Barbados TODAY: “At this point in time, we cannot say specifically why Barbados is geo-blocked. That’s where the government is working to find out directly from Google and these other platforms what is happening.”

Speaking on the sidelines of a BCSIorganised consultation on the orange economy at the Cave Hill School of Business, Reifer noted that the problem is compounded by inconsistencies across the Caribbean.

“Some islands do not face the same restrictions. Therefore, it is something specific to Barbados that is not allowing us to be able to monetise,” she said.

The BCSI president said the creative industry was at a critical juncture, requiring a concerted strategy encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders.

Reifer also highlighted the need for greater public awareness about the scope of the orange economy: “I was in discussions regarding sport as a part of the orange economy. Many people don’t know that sport is an element of the orange economy. Sport is a service as well as a billion-dollar industry in its own right, but it forms part of the orange economy.”

The economic implications for Barbados are significant, according to Reifer. The global orange economy is estimated to be worth around US$980 billion (BDS$1.9 trillion). Barbados’ share of that pie remains unknown.

She said collaboration and awareness are key to realising the potential of the orange economy as she also highlighted the necessity of a supportive framework for businesses within the sector.

The BCSI president added that the orange economy “isn’t just about numbers on a ledger; it’s about fostering innovation, nurturing our cultural identity, and unlocking new avenues for economic growth”.

Meantime, Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Senator Chad Blackman, challenged attendees at the second sectoral consultation on the Development of the Business Aspects of the Orange Economy of Barbados for Key Stakeholders to reimagine their roles within the creative economy.

“I want to challenge you, and I know all of you, I’m sure, have the same belief that the orange economy, in my view, can be a major transformative sector for Barbados — and not just a small cog; I’m talking about a major sector for Barbados,” he said.

Experts at the meeting discussed strategies to unlock the orange economy’s transformative potential. They pointed to a pressing need for innovative approaches to develop the sector. (RG)