PIAC, CMG criticize CBC’s request for digital flexibility

The new digital initiatives from CBC/Radio-Canada like the English-language Gem and its French counterpart ICI Tou.tv have not yet shown themselves to be good enough to fulfill the broadcaster's mandate as a public service that fosters the development of Canadian programming, according to Public Interest Advocacy Centre general counsel John Lawford. Speaking to CRTC commissioners Tuesday as part of the regulator's public hearings into the renewal of the CBC's license, Lawford said that exhibition requirements for Canadian content and programs of national interest should first be met on traditional linear services. The broadcaster has asked the CRTC for increased flexibility to reduce its license obligations for linear television and radio, saying that it will make up the difference on digital platforms. Last week advocacy group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting said the request amounts to putting $300 million into a “black box” of unregulated digital expenditures. "They have a nascent online service in Gem and Ici Tout.tv that look promising, but they have a lot of content from other parts of the world. They haven't found their feet yet," Lawford said, adding that PIAC is "not convinced" that without the CRTC forcing the CBC to meet requirements on its linear services, that the broadcaster would be sufficiently distinct from private broadcasters. Moreso, Lawford said, the Broadcasting Act requires the broadcaster to fulfill its mandate through the traditional mediums of linear television and radio. "When CBC sounds just like a private broadcaster, remind them" that the act distinguishes them, he said. PIAC also called for a shorter license term of two years, as opposed to the usual five years, given the uncertainty around the update to the Broadcasting Act, known as Bill C-10, tabled by Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault in November. The CRTC should thus, Lawford said, refrain from establishing digital media regulations until the update to the act is finalized. "Only at that time, when digital rules are clear for all, should the Commission set out digital rules or expectations for CBC, including CanCon, to align them with all other broadcasters," he said. Elsewhere in the day's hearings, the Canadian Media Guild -- the union which represents CBC journalists -- called on the CRTC to force the broadcaster to drop its branded content initiatives, and to be wary of the CBC's request for flexibility in using digital services to fulfill programming obligations. "We urge you to not give CBC/Radio-Canada a blank cheque when it comes to flexibility." "If you do, it may well mean the end of local television news shows. Will CBC local news be replaced by Facebook lives or top ten lists?" CMG CBC branch president Kim Trynacity told regulators. "What will be deemed to be a television news program online could be filled with who knows what," Trynacity said. "My concern is if CBC is given that entire flexibility, that we will see a further erosion of quality, and then just the number of hours of programs on local television." Union officials also asked the CRTC to force the CBC to report its performance on equity-related staffing matters on an annual basis, including amongst senior management. — Reporting by Michael Lee-Murphy at mleemurphy@thewirereport.ca and editing by Anja Karadeglija at akarad@thewirereport.ca

PIAC, CMG criticize CBC’s request for digital flexibility

Broadcast | January 26, 2021

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PIAC, CMG criticize CBC’s request for digital flexibility

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