CAB SUBMITS EQUITABLE PORTRAYAL CODE
The CAB submitted its new Equitable Portrayal Code for broadcasters to the CRTC on Thursday, July 20. The Equitable Portrayal Code is intended to replace the Sex-Role Portrayal Code, and was created to ensure the equitable portrayal of all persons in television and radio programming. The new Code comes as the culmination of an extensive review of all existing industry codes, and addresses concerns relating to stereotyping and negative and inaccurate portrayal identified by the Task Force for Cultural Diversity on Television and the report commissioned by the CAB on the presence, portrayal and participation of persons with disabilities in television programming.
Canada's private broadcasters recognize the cumulative societal effect of inequitable portrayal and, by creating this updated Code, seek to establish common standards to prevent such portrayal. The CAB solicited input on the Code from 36 public stakeholder organizations representing ethnocultural, Aboriginal, and disability groups in the English and French-language markets.
The Equitable Portrayal Code reflects the responsibilities of licensees, under the Broadcasting Act, to ensure that their programming and broadcast services achieve the highest standards, and demonstrates the private broadcasters' commitment to the equitable portrayal of all persons in television and radio programming. The Equitable Portrayal Code will be administered by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council. |