Canadians still oppose foreign control of cablecos, broadcasters: Decima survey

The percentage of Canadians opposed to foreign control of Canadian private television and radio broadcasters has increased over the past 18 months, according to a new survey by Decima Research Inc. The latest research indicates that Canadians continue to object to foreign majority ownership of domestic telecommunications and media companies, including private broadcasters, cablecos, and newspapers. The survey results take on a greater significance as the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage wraps up in the coming weeks its year-long review of the Canadian broadcasting system, which has included the issue of foreign ownership (CCR, Dec. 13/02; Dec. 5/02). The cable industry has called for the elimination of foreign ownership limits in the cable sector, while most private broadcasters have advocated the status quo, with the exception of CanWest Global Communications Corp. (CCR, Dec. 5/02). Also, the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is scheduled to open hearings on foreign investment limits in the telecom sector later this month, which the cable industry intends to participate in (CCR, Nov. 22/02). A telephone survey conducted for Decima Publishing Inc. by affiliate Decima Research last month repeated questions from a Decima survey completed in June 2001 (CCR, July 4/01). Overall, 72% of Canadians are now opposed to a change that would allow Canadian media and telecommunications companies to be majority owned by foreign companies, compared to 68% in June 2001. There has been a hardening of attitudes among those opposed, as the proportion of Canadians who are strongly opposed increased from 40% in 2001 to 45% in December 2002. According to the latest research, 21% are in favour of foreign control of media and telecom companies, with only 7% strongly favouring the notion. The remaining respondents did not express an opinion either way. In 2001, 26% endorsed foreign control of media companies and telcos, with 5% strongly in favour of it, and the remaining respondents not expressing an opinion either way. The latest research provides significant food for thought for members of the Heritage and Industry committees as they weigh in on the issue of foreign majority control of broadcasters, cablecos and telcos. This level of public opposition provides a clear indication that a substantial segment of the public would have a difficult time accepting easing foreign ownership restrictions to allow for outside control of media and telecommunications companies. When asked about specific industry sectors, the latest research shows that opposition to foreign majority ownership of private broadcasters has increased. In 2001, 50% of Canadians believed foreign ownership of private TV broadcasters was unacceptable. That passed the halfway mark in the most recent survey, with 54% registering their discontent. Those who found the idea acceptable fell from 44% in 2001 to 40% in 2002. Opposition to outside control of private radio broadcasters registered a larger increase. According to the latest research, 58% considered foreign control of private radio broadcasters unacceptable, compared to 50% in 2001. Those who found the idea acceptable fell to 37% in 2002 from 44% in 2001. The numbers remained relatively constant on the question of foreign control of cable operators, with 56% saying foreign majority ownership of cablecos was unacceptable, down marginally from 57% in 2001. Another 39% said the idea was acceptable to them, up slightly from 37% a year earlier. Canadians continue to be more opposed to foreign control of newspapers than of any other media sector. In 2002, 66% found the idea of foreign majority ownership of newspapers unacceptable, compared to 65% in 2001. Only 30% found the notion acceptable in both 2002 and 2001. The numbers remained constant on the question of outsiders controlling telcos, with 60% saying foreign ownership of telephone companies is unacceptable, up marginally from 59% in 2001. Another 36% said the idea was acceptable to them, down slightly from 37% a year earlier. The prevailing reasons given by Canadians for opposing foreign control of media and telecom firms in the latest research were loss of Canadian identity and culture, loss of control of important industries, and concerns about the economic impact. Other reasons cited were a reduction of service levels and higher prices, too much foreign influence/ownership already and a loss of research/development capabilities in Canada. Those supporting foreign control see it as a boon to the economy, necessary for prosperity and growth, and believe that it will result in more competition, will lead to better content and will result in better service and lower prices. Both the 2002 and 2001 research was collected through the Decima Express, a national omnibus telephone survey conducted monthly by Decima Research. The 2002 survey was conducted between December 13 and December 22. Results of the survey are based on a sample of 2,017 adult Canadians. A survey of this size can be expected to provide results accurate to within +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20. The 2001 survey had a smaller sample of 1,174 adult Canadians. A survey of this size can be expected to provide results accurate to within +/- 2.8%, 19 times out of 20. For more in-depth survey results relating to foreign control of telecommunications companies, see the Jan. 13/03 issue of CCR affiliate publication Network Letter. For more information on the latest survey or to purchase an executive summary and/or the full research data, please contact publisher Mario Mota at (613) 230-1984 or mmota@decima.ca. Click here for more information on the Decima Express.

Canadians still oppose foreign control of cablecos, broadcasters: Decima survey

News | 01/16/2003 5:00 am EST

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