New media will change broadcasting, but the CRTC says it’s under control

Six months after Canadian Heritage minister Bev Oda ordered a report on the impact of technology on broadcasting in Canada, the CRTC has delivered. The Future Environment Facing the Canadian Broadcasting System was released on December 14 and if you consider the current government’s attitude toward the commission, the report sends a very clear message. "The of the report is the commission is saying effectively, ‘We’ve got this under control, leave it to us,’" says Ian Morrison, spokesperson for the advocacy group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. "In effect, the CRTC is politely challenging the government" and its statements about reducing the role of the CRTC made during the last election campaign. The 181-page document, which Morrison refers to as a "broadcasting 101"-style overview, consolidates submissions from 52 parties – primarily broadcasters, BDUs, and broadcasting and new media associations – on how Canada should react to a constantly evolving media sector (CCR, Sept. 13/06). And while the paper shies away from concrete recommendations for the most part, when the commission does answer questions it supports its findings with intervener’s opinions. For example, in the matter of whether the Broadcasting Act is set up to deal with new technologies, the report states "the majority of parties took the position that the current act remains relevant and appropriate." As well, the major conclusion of the report is that "any negative impact on the broadcasting system from shifting media consumption patterns has been marginal to date." However, the commission asserts that as more Canadians turn to alternative media formats, the CRTC will review its policies accordingly. Of course, this would be in addition to the regulatory framework reviews for radio, television and broadcasting distribution which have already begun and will take place through 2008. Morrison says the CRTC is telling the government, "‘This is what we plan to do, if you want to change our mandate…do so at your own peril, because we are regulating important industries in the national interest.’" But given that the commission already has reviews in place to deal with many of the issues addressed in the report, did the exercise have any value at all? "I believe that communication is very important," says Morrison. "So I think any interested party now has a very clear understanding of where the CRTC is headed and why." After examining the submissions, the CRTC indicated that calls for policy action focused largely on: amendments to the regulatory frameworks of existing broadcasting undertakings; determining regulatory oversight appropriate to new audio-visual technologies; and additional public policy response in areas such as copyright, maintaining a distinct Canadian rights market, and new targeted subsidies. The CRTC notes that evidence regarding the uptake of new technologies shows they will have a material economic impact in the medium term, and therefore recommends action be taken within the next three to seven years. In the near term, the CRTC will address regulatory issues through its scheduled reviews and will continue to reduce the regulatory burden. Whether the findings of the report have any bearing on the commission’s responsibilities in the future remain to be seen. But like Morrison, the CRTC finds value in the exercise, as it notes in the final lines: "The commission considers that the gathering of information for this report is an important step in ensuring that policymakers make the decisions necessary to ensure the ongoing health, contribution and relevance of the Canadian broadcasting system."

New media will change broadcasting, but the CRTC says it’s under control

News | 12/20/2006 5:00 am EST

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