Digital media insiders express concerns about CMF board, management

Some digital media industry executives are worried that the new Canada Media Fund (CMF) won’t support interactive media projects as well as it could because it lacks digital media representation on its board of directors, and the consultation process for fund management might not be as comprehensive as hoped. “It really means the CMF is not going to be in a position to deal with the special needs of the interactive media sector,” says Mark Sandiford, head of the Interactive Media Alliance of PEI. Due to come into effect next April, the Canada Media Fund combines the Canadian Television Fund (CTF), which supports Canadian TV programs, and the Canada New Media Fund, for interactive digital projects. Last month the CTF announced six of the seven CMF board members. They include a professor, a TV consultant, a film producer, and two accountants – but no one sporting digital media credentials. It’s an issue that has caused concern in the digital media industry before. In April, Ian Kelso, president of the Canadian Interactive Alliance/ Allience Interactive Canadienne, expressed his group’s worry that the board lacked a digital media expert. It’s still an issue, Sandiford says. “Obviously it would be better if there was somebody on the board with this sort of experience... There’s a culture in film and television, and a culture in new media. To have nobody who’s familiar with interactive media on the board means that in some ways they might not be looking for the right things.” The seventh board member hasn’t been announced yet. It’s up to the Canadian Coalition for Cultural Expression, a group of cable and satellite companies, to make the last board nomination. “We’re hoping to have that soon, and I know they’re working on it,” says Betsy Chaly, the CTF’s director of communications. “There’s a process to determine the independence of each of the board members, so it could be that they have someone in mind and they’re going through the independence test at the moment.” While digital industry insiders are still hoping that the seventh board member will have some digital media experience, they’re also concerned that the consultation process on CMF management won’t be as comprehensive as initially thought. Sandiford says he believed the CMF would operate with an advisory committee, which would help guide the board members towards ensuring the right projects get funded. But Chaly says the concept of an advisory committee isn’t on the table anymore. “There was mention that something would be done to engage the industry and get input from the industry,” she says. “I think different terms were used in terms of what this would look like, and I believe that was one of them. But it’s not going to be exactly like that.” Instead, the CTF will run a consultation process to gather industry input. “We’re going to be announcing details about it soon,” Chaly says, adding that more information could come as early as the end of this week or next week. “It will be an ongoing process. What we’ll be announcing is phase 1.” Sandiford says it’s a good first step. “I think it’s terrific that they’re going to be doing a consultation process. It’s really a matter of making sure that they really do consult with the interactive sector, not just the TV-plus sector, people creating the bonus material for television programs... The question becomes, then, once the consultations are over, will they revert back to their comfort zone? That’s television.” As for the board, although digital media industry members are worried about its lacking new media representation, the CTF is satisfied. “We’re quite confident that the make-up of the board and the extensive experience and knowledge of the board members that we have are suited to the governance role that they’ll be taking on,” Chaly says. Digital media folks aren’t the only ones who want a role in shaping the CMF. In a recent report about issues in the local-television industry, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends that the federal government ensure that independent producers also have access to the CMF, and are consulted on the fund’s administration. Stefan Dubowski is a freelance writer in Ottawa. You can reach him via sdubowski@rogers.com.

Digital media insiders express concerns about CMF board, management

Broadcast | July 8, 2009

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