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CBC chief slams ‘false dichotomy’ in public funding debate
Monday November 28th 2011Critics of the CBC often rely on a “false dichotomy” to distinguish the broadcaster from private media enterprises, the head of the CBC says.
Speaking at a conference on international communications in Ottawa, CBC president and CEO Hubert Lacroix said the CBC isn’t alone in receiving public funding for its work.
“The current debate suggests there is a subsidized state broadcaster in one corner and unsubsidized private broadcasters in the other corner,” Mr. Lacroix told an audience of about 300 people. “That is quite simply a false dichotomy.”
He cited the Canada Media Fund and the CRTC-run Local Programming Fund as examples of funding packages that are available to all broadcasters. “CBC Radio Canada, CTV, Global and yes, Quebecor, receive support,” Mr. Lacroix said.
The CBC, which receives $1.1-billion dollars each year from the Canadian government, has faced intense criticism recently over the cost of its programming and its accountability for the money it gets.
Mr. Lacroix defended the subsidy as necessary to maintain Canadian content. He said Hockey Night in Canada, local news and election night coverage wouldn’t exist without public funding for Canadian broadcasters.
“If we want to have any substantial television outlet for Canadian voices, then we will need to subsidize the Canadian broadcasting sector,” Mr. Lacroix said.
The corporation has come under fire in recent weeks over its handling of sensitive Access to Information requests, many of which were made by Quebecor. Last week, the broadcaster said it would accept a ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal that compels it to hand over documents to the federal information commissioner.
Source: The Globe and Mail
Front Page, Industry News
CBC chief slams ‘false dichotomy’ in public funding debate
Monday November 28th 2011Critics of the CBC often rely on a “false dichotomy” to distinguish the broadcaster from private media enterprises, the head of the CBC says.
Speaking at a conference on international communications in Ottawa, CBC president and CEO Hubert Lacroix said the CBC isn’t alone in receiving public funding for its work.
“The current debate suggests there is a subsidized state broadcaster in one corner and unsubsidized private broadcasters in the other corner,” Mr. Lacroix told an audience of about 300 people. “That is quite simply a false dichotomy.”
He cited the Canada Media Fund and the CRTC-run Local Programming Fund as examples of funding packages that are available to all broadcasters. “CBC Radio Canada, CTV, Global and yes, Quebecor, receive support,” Mr. Lacroix said.
The CBC, which receives $1.1-billion dollars each year from the Canadian government, has faced intense criticism recently over the cost of its programming and its accountability for the money it gets.
Mr. Lacroix defended the subsidy as necessary to maintain Canadian content. He said Hockey Night in Canada, local news and election night coverage wouldn’t exist without public funding for Canadian broadcasters.
“If we want to have any substantial television outlet for Canadian voices, then we will need to subsidize the Canadian broadcasting sector,” Mr. Lacroix said.
The corporation has come under fire in recent weeks over its handling of sensitive Access to Information requests, many of which were made by Quebecor. Last week, the broadcaster said it would accept a ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal that compels it to hand over documents to the federal information commissioner.
Source: The Globe and Mail
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Front Page, Industry News
CBC chief slams ‘false dichotomy’ in public funding debate
Monday November 28th 2011Critics of the CBC often rely on a “false dichotomy” to distinguish the broadcaster from private media enterprises, the head of the CBC says.
Speaking at a conference on international communications in Ottawa, CBC president and CEO Hubert Lacroix said the CBC isn’t alone in receiving public funding for its work.
“The current debate suggests there is a subsidized state broadcaster in one corner and unsubsidized private broadcasters in the other corner,” Mr. Lacroix told an audience of about 300 people. “That is quite simply a false dichotomy.”
He cited the Canada Media Fund and the CRTC-run Local Programming Fund as examples of funding packages that are available to all broadcasters. “CBC Radio Canada, CTV, Global and yes, Quebecor, receive support,” Mr. Lacroix said.
The CBC, which receives $1.1-billion dollars each year from the Canadian government, has faced intense criticism recently over the cost of its programming and its accountability for the money it gets.
Mr. Lacroix defended the subsidy as necessary to maintain Canadian content. He said Hockey Night in Canada, local news and election night coverage wouldn’t exist without public funding for Canadian broadcasters.
“If we want to have any substantial television outlet for Canadian voices, then we will need to subsidize the Canadian broadcasting sector,” Mr. Lacroix said.
The corporation has come under fire in recent weeks over its handling of sensitive Access to Information requests, many of which were made by Quebecor. Last week, the broadcaster said it would accept a ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal that compels it to hand over documents to the federal information commissioner.
Source: The Globe and Mail
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