
The long awaited overhaul of Canada's broadcast and telecommunications acts came another step closer to realization last week with the release of the report "Canada's Communications Future: Time to Act."
The report was commissioned in June 2018 by the Trudeau government because the current acts are outdated, especially because of all the changes that have happened because of the internet.
The report has been a year and a half in the making, and recommends sweeping changes to everything from the structure of Canada's broadcast regulators, to fixing Canada's broken news media and how Canadian content will be funded. And of course, what to do about Netflix, which is the part of the report that's getting the most attention.
Today's guests on rabble radio are Barry Rooke of the National Campus and Community Radio Association and Cathy Edwards, executive director of the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users, also known as CACTUS. They say they're disappointed that the non profit community media sector was barely included in the report. Victoria Fenner talked to them yesterday.
Disclosure: Victoria Fenner works with Cathy Edwards at CACTUS.
You can also read Karl Nerenberg's take on the policy review document last week on rabble: "Trudeau Must Not Ignore Bold Report on Media in Internet Age."
Image: CHCO Community TV, Charlotte County, NB. Used with permission
Thank you for reading this story…
More people are reading rabble.ca than ever and unlike many news organizations, we have never put up a paywall – at rabble we’ve always believed in making our reporting and analysis free to all, while striving to make it sustainable as well. Media isn’t free to produce. rabble’s total budget is likely less than what big corporate media spend on photocopying (we kid you not!) and we do not have any major foundation, sponsor or angel investor. Our main supporters are people and organizations -- like you. This is why we need your help. You are what keep us sustainable.
rabble.ca has staked its existence on you. We live or die on community support -- your support! We get hundreds of thousands of visitors and we believe in them. We believe in you. We believe people will put in what they can for the greater good. We call that sustainable.
So what is the easy answer for us? Depend on a community of visitors who care passionately about media that amplifies the voices of people struggling for change and justice. It really is that simple. When the people who visit rabble care enough to contribute a bit then it works for everyone.
And so we’re asking you if you could make a donation, right now, to help us carry forward on our mission. Make a donation today.
Comments
Do
Don't