CRTC LAUNCHES A PROCEEDING TO REVIEW THE DIVERSITY OF VOICES IN THE CANADIAN BROADCASTING SYSTEM CRTC Release In a notice of public hearing issued today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched a public proceeding to review various issues relating to the ownership of Canadian broadcasting companies, with a focus on their impact on the diversity of voices that the broadcasting system provides to Canadians.
“The goal of this proceeding, announced by the Commission on March 13, is to develop a clear and predictable policy that will ensure a diversity of voices, including editorial voices. The adoption of such a policy will further the evolution of the Canadian broadcasting system,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, Chairman of the CRTC. “The Commission intends to adopt a holistic approach that will include all components of the broadcasting industry.”
This comprehensive review of media ownership regulations will consist of an intervention period that will give Canadians sufficient time to express themselves fully, followed by a public hearing, starting on 17 September 2007 in Gatineau. In Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-5, issued today, the Commission therefore invites comments from interested parties on the various issues it proposes to address, particularly those relating to the ownership of broadcasting companies. Comments must be received by the Commission no later than 18 July 2007. They may be submitted by mail, at the address CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, by fax, at 819-994-0218, or by completing the Broadcasting Intervention/Comments Form.
Furthermore, to ensure journalistic independence in broadcasting entities belonging to companies that own both electronic and print media, the Commission today issued a public notice (Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2007-41) inviting comments by 18 July 2007 on a code prepared by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC), to which broadcasters that are members of the CBSC will be required to adhere. The Commission will examine the comments it receives as part of its diversity of voices review launched today. |