CRTC BOSS SET TO TACKLE NEW-MEDIA CHALLENGE Financial Post CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said Friday he expects his "principal" challenge during his term will be to ensure that Canadian content can remain relevant in a landscape dominated by new media.
His comments, in a speech to film producers, are a sign that most of his attention as head of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will likely be focused on the broadcasting sector, which is facing rapid change due to the emergence of technology.
"New media - the result of applying new technologies to broadcasting - have the potential to undermine existing business models and regulatory structures," the former Federal Court judge said.
"What can we do in the face of this to preserve and fulfil our mandate as set out in the Broadcasting Act? That's the key challenge that faces the regulator."
As a result, he said, the domestic broadcasting system would have to find a way "to carve out a niche" for Canadian voices. "I consider this the principal challenge facing me - the challenge that will define my tenure as chairman."
He was appointed late last month, but the chairman has already been busy trying to resolve a dispute between cable operators and the Canadian Television Fund over how the financing agency is operated. He has set up a task force to find a resolution.
Later this year, the CRTC will release its recommendations as to how over-the-air broadcasters are to be regulated. The regulator is also expected to begin its review of cable and satellite distributors. |